Grassroots innovators from across Nigeria advance to compete for a ₦100 million grand prize

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), in partnership with AfriLabs and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, recently announced the Top 15 finalists of the InnovateNaija Challenge, following a nationwide screening and assessment process that spanned all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The finalists were selected from a highly competitive field of grassroots innovators working in engineering, deep tech, agriculture, and renewable energy. Each brings a homegrown solution to one of Nigeria’s most pressing structural challenges, and each now advances to the competition’s most critical phase: a live national pitch event.

The InnovateNaija Top 15 (Ranked by Combined Score)
Elizabeth Chioma Chiketarauba (Imo State) — 4,514.2
Innovation: Torquenova (An electric vehicle/main power generator, rechargeable via in-built solar-powered system or mains supply)

Caleb Iwuoha (Rivers State) — 4,126.2
Innovation: Acecore Powercell and Powercore App

Abdulrahman Bin Umar (Kaduna State) — 3,942.8
Innovation: FarmFly

Rita Idehai (Edo State) — 3,324.4
Innovation: Automated Reverse Vending Machine

Oluwadamilola Adebayo (Ogun State) — 3,281.4
Innovation: CellGuard

Aminu Sale Jino (Katsina State) — 2,974.2
Innovation: Electric Vehicle’s Charging Engine Piles

Zang Luka (Plateau State) — 2,926.0
Innovation: Made in Nigeria USB Cable and Computer Foot Mouse

Khadija Adamu Dandada (Kano State) — 2,822.2
Innovation: Shepall App

Shahir Abdulsalam Nuuman (Jigawa State) — 2,753.6
Innovation: Vision-based Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV)

Kemisola Bolarinwa (Ekiti State) — 2,713.6
Innovation: Smart Bra Cup Diagnostic Device

Oluwatoyin Ogundeji (Ondo State) — 2,568.0
Innovation: Smart Pond

Miriam Ashiemar Agbo (Benue State) — 2,485.6
Innovation: Anatsor Integrated Poultry Management System (AIPMS)

Chinyere Esther Onwumelu (Nasarawa State) — 2,392.8
Innovation: Gas-level Monitoring and Community Gas Metering System

Adaeze Ruth Akpagbula (Abia State) — 2,379.4
Innovation: Penkeep (Smart Poultry Climate Control System)

Volo Bakumor Smith (Bayelsa State) — 2324
Innovation: GeoWaste

The Road to the Grand Finale
The Top 15 will now step onto the national stage to pitch their physical prototypes before a panel of industry experts, global investors, and policymakers at the Final Pitch Event. The occasion will receive comprehensive nationwide media coverage, with a live broadcast across official digital and social platforms.

Beyond the ₦100 million grand prize awarded to the national winner, ₦30 million and ₦20 million in secondary grants will go to the first and second runners-up, respectively. All 15 finalists will also gain long-term access to advanced manufacturing tools and infrastructure across NASENI’s nationwide technology institutes to help scale their innovations.

Nigeria is one step closer to discovering its next industrial breakthrough. Follow the countdown to the Grand Finale for live updates and the full pitch-day schedule at the NASENI Innovation Hub.