The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has awarded N435.5 million in grants to innovators across Nigeria. The grants were given under NASENI's maiden InnovateNaija, Future Makers, Intra-Agency and Inter-Agency innovation competitions. The award ceremony was held at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The InnovateNaija national winner received N100 million, while the first and second runners-up received N30 million and N20 million respectively. Additionally, 37 state champions, including the Federal Capital Territory, received N2.5 million each. The grants aim to support Nigerian innovators in developing home-grown technological solutions.
Six winners emerged from the NASENI Intra-Agency and Inter-Agency competitions, receiving a combined N162 million. The three winners of the Inter-Agency competition received N140 million, while N22.5 million was shared among the three winners of the Intra-Agency competition.
The top six finalists in the Future Makers competition also received a combined N23 million in prize money, with the overall winner receiving N5 million. The competitions were organised to identify innovative ideas with the potential to become commercial ventures, create jobs and contribute to Nigeria's technological and industrial development.
Presenting the awards on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, reaffirmed the Federal Government's commitment to promoting innovation and developing home-grown technological solutions. Udeh urged the beneficiaries to deploy the grants responsibly to improve their solutions and contribute to national development.
NASENI's Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, charged the award recipients to sustain the development of innovations capable of addressing everyday challenges confronting Nigerians. Halilu advised them to protect their intellectual property, understand their finances, build strong teams and seek strategic partnerships.
The event was attended by dignitaries, including the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, and Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe. The joint awards ceremony marked the completion of the maiden edition of NASENI's innovation competitions.
Key points
- The grants aim to support Nigerian innovators in developing home-grown technological solutions.
- The competitions were organised to identify innovative ideas with the potential to become commercial ventures.
- The award recipients were urged to deploy the grants responsibly to improve their solutions and contribute to national development.
