NASENI Inter-Agency Innovation Competition (₦140 Million Prize)

The NASENI Inter-Agency Innovation Competition 2026 is a major nationwide challenge launched by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to discover and support breakthrough ideas from young innovators across Nigeria. It invites creative thinkers, inventors, researchers and entrepreneurs to submit solutions in science, engineering, technology and manufacturing that can be scaled and commercialised. The competition comes with a total prize pool of ₦140 million, mentorship and ecosystem support designed to help innovators move from concept to real impact.

This competition is part of the wider InnovateNaija Challenge, which goes beyond funding by offering visibility, networking opportunities, and a structured platform for turning good ideas into viable products and companies.

Key Benefits for Participants

Participants in the 2026 edition can look forward to several benefits:

₦140 Million Prize Pool

• One grand winner with the largest national award.
• ₦2.5 million guaranteed for each of the 37 winners — one from each Nigerian state and the Federal Capital Territory.
• Additional prizes for top innovators at the national level.

Pitch & Showcase Opportunities
Finalists get the chance to present their innovations live in Abuja at the NASENI Invention Fest, where judges, stakeholders, investors and industry leaders come together.

Mentorship & Ecosystem Support
Selected innovators gain mentorship, support in innovation development, and connections with the NASENI Innovation Hub — a space offering infrastructure, capacity building and incubation support.

Exposure and Visibility
Competitors gain national attention, public engagement and the chance to build networks within the Nigerian innovation ecosystem. From state-level recognition to national pitching stages, your innovation gets noticed by key players.

Eligibility Requirements

The competition is open to:

• Young innovators across Nigeria — including students, researchers, inventors and startup founders.
• Projects should be grounded in science, engineering, manufacturing, technology or applied innovation.
• Ideas, prototypes or innovations should have potential for scaling and commercialization.
• Applicants must be Nigerian nationals or residents with a solution that addresses local challenges and shows value in market or societal impact.

There is no strict requirement for formal business registration or academic level — the focus is on viable, scalable innovations with real promise.

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How The Program Works

The NASENI Innovation Competition unfolds in distinct stages:

Phase 1 — State-Level Selection
Innovators from all 36 states and the FCT submit entries. These are evaluated and voted on, often with public engagement. One winner from each state receives a ₦2.5 million grant to further develop their project.

Phase 2 — National Finals
The top innovators (typically a shortlist of around 15) are invited to pitch their solutions live at the NASENI Invention Fest in Abuja. Here, they present to judges, stakeholders and potential partners.

Prize Awards
The best projects at the national level receive higher awards from the pool, including the largest grant for the top national winner. This final stage is also a chance to gain further ecosystem support.

The entire competition runs over several months, combining online submission, public engagement, voting, live pitches and the final awards event.

How To Apply

1. Prepare a clear summary of your innovation — explain the problem you are solving, how your solution works, and any prototype, results or early testing you have done.
2. Complete the online application form during the submission window. Details are available on the official NASENI InnovateNaija portal.
3. Submit before the deadline listed on the competition page.
4. If shortlisted, follow up with any additional requirements and pitch preparations for the final stages.

Application Link:
https://innovation.naseni.gov.ng/innovatenaija-campaign/

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