The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), under the leadership of its Executive Vice Chairman, Khalil Halilu, has awarded ₦437.5 million to Nigerian innovators to support homegrown technologies and accelerate industrial development.
The awards were presented on October 7, 2026, at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, during the grand finale of InnovateNaija, FutureMakers and the NASENI Innovation Assessment and Awards Competition.

The programmes recognised innovators across Nigeria, including young talents, children, researchers and professionals working within federal institutions.
At the centre of the initiative is Halilu’s vision of connecting Nigerian ingenuity with funding, technical support and opportunities to turn promising ideas into practical solutions.
InnovateNaija attracted 1,238 applications, with 133 innovations advancing to the next stage. The programme recorded 175,888 votes during its first nationwide voting phase.

The process produced 36 state champions, each receiving ₦2.5 million to develop their innovations. Governors in Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Kaduna and Plateau states matched the grants, doubling the awards for their respective champions to ₦5 million each.
A second round of public voting recorded 65,846 website votes and 53,514 social media engagement votes, narrowing the competition to 15 finalists.
Adaeze Ruth Akpagbula of Abia State emerged overall winner with her Smart Poultry Climate Control System, receiving ₦100 million.

Oluwatoyin Ogundeji of Ondo State came second with Smart Pond, winning ₦30 million, while Aminu Sale Jino of Katsina State took third place with his Electric Vehicle Charging Engine, receiving ₦20 million.
The three finalists shared ₦150 million, bringing InnovateNaija’s awards to state champions and top winners to ₦240 million.
Zeberced, a NASENI partner and event sponsor, also awarded ₦2 million each to the 15 finalists.
Beyond supporting established innovators, NASENI extended its initiative to children and teenagers through FutureMakers, a programme delivered in partnership with AfriLabs.
The programme encourages young Nigerians aged five to 16 to develop practical solutions through technology and creative problem-solving.

Emmanuel Paul emerged winner with Lafiya Alert, receiving ₦5 million.
The programme attracted applications from young people across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with ideas covering agriculture, education, healthcare, manufacturing, renewable energy and climate-related challenges.
NASENI also recognised innovations developed within government institutions through its maiden Innovation Assessment and Awards Competition.
The competition received 261 submissions, comprising 180 entries from NASENI and 81 from other federal ministries, departments and agencies.

Following preliminary screening and technical assessments, 20 finalists demonstrated their innovations at NASENI headquarters in Abuja on August 5 and 6.
In the inter-agency category, Dr Moshood Lanre Adetoro of the National Space Research and Development Agency won ₦70 million.
Dr Habila Bitrus of the Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology, Zaria, received ₦40 million for second place, while Isaac Johnson Ajeh of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development won ₦30 million for third place.
In the intra-agency category, Usman Yusuf of NASENI’s Manufacturing Services Department won ₦10 million.
Engr Oladapo Olatoye of the Electronics Development Institute, Awka, received ₦7.5 million, while Engr Mikairu Aminu Abu of NASENI Solar Energy Limited, Karshi, won ₦5 million.

The six winners shared ₦162.5 million, with the competition expected to create opportunities for further technical development, mentorship, prototyping and commercialisation.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was represented at the ceremony by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh.
Other dignitaries included Kaduna State Deputy Governor Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande, state government representatives and heads of federal agencies.
The participation of government officials and private-sector partners highlighted the importance of collaboration in developing Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.

For Halilu, the programmes offer a practical way to identify talented Nigerians and provide the resources needed to turn their ideas into viable products and businesses.
However, the long-term success of the initiative will depend on whether the winning innovations receive sustained technical support, investment and access to markets.
If effectively developed, the projects could contribute to job creation, local manufacturing, enterprise development and affordable solutions to national challenges.
Through InnovateNaija, FutureMakers and the public-sector competition, NASENI is seeking to make innovation a practical driver of economic growth.
The next challenge is to ensure that the ideas recognised at the ceremony translate into sustainable businesses, useful technologies and measurable benefits for Nigerians.