By Lukman Oladokun

In a landmark moment for Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), in collaboration with AfriLabs, officially launched InnovateNaija, a ₦250 million innovation challenge designed to empower young Nigerians to transform ideas into scalable solutions.

The launch which took place at the sideline of GITEX Nigeria Startup Festival, attracted avalanche of innovators, policymakers, and investors from across the world.

Speaking at the launch, NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, who delivered a powerful message stated that, “We are not just obeying a competition, we are igniting a movement, a movement to find thousands of stories like this across the 36 states of Nigeria and the FCT, a movement that empowers people.”

Halilu emphasised that InnovateNaija is about more than prizes but about belief. “Belief that Nigerian solutions can solve Nigerian problems. Belief that our youths can transform necessity into invention, and invention into scalable businesses.”

Nigeria, home to over 250 million people and the largest youth population in Africa, is bursting with untapped potential. Halilu reflected on this energy: “Every single day, millions of young Nigerians wake up with ideas, with dreams, the energy to solve problems. But too often, those ideas remain trapped by lack of funding, mentorship, or opportunity. Today, we are breaking that cycle.”

He shared the story of a young innovator who built a generator powered by water, describing him as “the spirit of Nigerian innovation—creativity born from challenge, solution driven by necessity, and a resilience that inspires the world.”

“Africa’s future depends on collaboration. When a Nigerian innovator builds a solar solution, it should scale in Ghana, Kenya, and beyond. And when Kenyans build a health tech breakthrough, it should find partners in Lagos and Abuja.”

Halilu, while closing his address said, “To our young innovators, this is your moment. To our partners and investors, this is your chance to believe in Nigeria. And to Africa, this is your proof that home-grown innovation is not just possible, it is unstoppable.”

In his remark which was a bold declaration of support for Nigeria’s youth-led innovation movement, the Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE pledged full collaboration to NASENI to advance the InnovateNaija initiative.

While affirming that hitherto it was only NITDA that was known for innovation, he said the Agency will collaborate with NASENI on this initiative. He said, We are not competing, we are collaborating to serve you better,”

His remarks underscored a new era of synergy between government agencies, focused on unlocking the disruptive potential of Nigeria’s youth.

Inuwa  praised the initiative as a “giant stride” and a testament to what happens when youth are given the opportunity to lead. “Before Khalil joined NASENI, the agency wasn’t on the youth radar. Today, it is a youth-centric powerhouse that challenges the status quo and promoting innovation,” he said.

The NITDA boss also highlighted the successful hosting of GITEX and the visibility it will offer the Nigeria Startups. “Now, our innovators have access to the global innovation ecosystem. Nigeria can build and sell to the world,” he said, emphasising the importance of creating platforms that connect local talent to international opportunities.

In addition to financial support, Inuwa revealed plans to work with NASENI to introduce new prizes and incentives that go beyond cash. “We want solutions that solve national problems and position Nigeria on the global technology map. This is not just about funding it is about building a movement.” he concluded.

The Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande while reaffirming his ministry’s commitment to empowering Nigerian youth through digital inclusion, innovation, and open collaboration emphasised the new open-door policy the ministry has adopted , inviting young people to bring forward ideas without bureaucratic barriers. He said, “No protocol, nothing, come with your idea.”

He said the Ministry  pledged to collaborate with public and private agencies to create platforms that support innovation, mentorship, and entrepreneurship. “We are bringing the government to your doorstep,” he said,  while acknowledging the long-standing disconnect between youth and governance.

The Minister also challenged the narrow definition of youth, often limited to National Youth Service Corp participants, and called for broader inclusion of all young Nigerians, regardless of their educational or socioeconomic background.

He stated that with NASENI’s support, the Ministry aims to transform ideas into viable businesses, reduce dependence on government jobs, and cultivate a generation of job creators. “Innovation is our stage. It is our movement to shine,” he added.

Comrade Olawande noted that the Ministry’s message is clear: “Nigerian youth are not just the future they are the present. And with the right support, they can lead the country into a new era of growth, creativity, and global relevance.”

In his address, the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on NASENI, Senator Mohammed Onawo, described the moment as not only historical but strategic.

Senator Onawo maintained that InnovateNaija is a bold initiative by NASENI and AfriLabs, and is more than a competition. “It is a national platform designed to identify, support, and scale home-grown innovations from all 36 states and the FCT.”

While reaffirming the unwavering support of the National Assembly, especially the Senate, for innovation-driven development. He promised  the legislative commitment to protect intellectual property, strengthen NASENI’s funding and national expansion and provide oversight to ensure measurable impact for youth-led initiatives.

“The Senate is watching. The nation is proud of you,” he told the young minds behind Nigeria’s next big breakthroughs.

Senator Onawo urged banks, manufacturers, tech firms, and agribusiness leaders to invest in innovation not as charity, but as smart business. “Young Nigerians are not waiting for handouts. They are producing working solutions. What they need is access to capital, mentorship, infrastructure, and markets,” he advised.

Also speaking at the event, the Chairman, Sahara Energy, Mr. Tonye Cole, has assured  his  commitment to youth-driven innovation through his endorsement of the InnovateNaija initiative.

In his remarks at 10x Stage GITEX Nigeria, Cole praised the work of Enactors, a student-led group working across Nigerian universities to solve real-world problems.

He recounted a remarkable story of students from the country who engineered a water-powered generator, an invention capable of powering poultry farms and smoke-cleaning systems without a drop of petrol. “This is the kind of ingenuity that gives me hope. It is a proof that when we challenge young minds, they rise,” he said.

While  urging  stakeholders to not only bring students into the fold but also invest in their ideas, Cole maintained that “If you are going to innovate across Nigeria, “then let us do it together. Let us compete, collaborate, and create opportunities that transform communities.”

The InnovateNaija Challenge, spearheads by NASENI under the leadership of Executive Vice Chairman Halilu, offers ₦250 million in funding to 37 young innovators across Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT. These winners will receive grants to develop their solutions, with the top 15 advancing to the NASENI Invention Fest in Abuja, where the overall winner will secure ₦100 million to scale their innovation.

The launch was made possible through NASENI’s strategic partnership with AfriLabs, Africa’s largest network of innovation hubs.

Winners will also gain access to NASENI’s Innovation Hub in Abuja, which offers infrastructure, mentorship, and manufacturing support to help transform ideas into market-ready products.