The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has awarded N435.5 million in grants to innovators across Nigeria. The grants were presented to winners of the Innovate Naija, Future Makers, Intra-Agency and Inter-Agency competitions at an award ceremony held on Wednesday, at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja. This initiative aims to promote innovation and develop home-grown technological solutions toward Nigeria's industrialisation.
The national winner of the Innovate Naija competition received N100 million, while the first and second runners-up received N30 million and N20 million, respectively. Additionally, 37 state champions, including Abuja, received N2.5 million each. This competition has provided a platform for innovators to showcase their skills and creativity, with a total of N150 million awarded to the top three winners and state champions.
The top six winners of the NASENI Intra-Agency and Inter-Agency competitions received a combined N162 million. Of this amount, N140 million went to the three winners of the Inter-Agency competition, while N22.5 million was shared among the three winners of the Intra-Agency competition. These competitions have encouraged collaboration and innovation within and between agencies, promoting a culture of creativity and problem-solving.
The top six finalists in the Future Makers competition received a combined N23 million in prize money, with the overall winner receiving a N5 million grant prize. This competition has provided an opportunity for young innovators to develop and showcase their ideas, with a focus on developing home-grown technological solutions.
Presenting the awards, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by 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. The Minister urged the beneficiaries to deploy the grants responsibly to improve their solutions and contribute to national development.
Dr. Udeh described the NASENI innovation competition as a demonstration of the government's support for Nigerian innovators. He encouraged the winners to continue developing innovations that would address everyday challenges confronting Nigerians. The government aims to create a supportive environment for innovators to thrive and contribute to the country's growth and development.
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, charged the award recipients to continue developing innovations that would address everyday challenges confronting Nigerians. The NASENI innovation competition has provided a platform for innovators to showcase their skills and creativity, with a focus on promoting innovation and developing home-grown technological solutions.
Key points
- NASENI awards N435.5m to innovators across Nigeria under its maiden innovation competitions.
- The competitions aim to promote innovation and develop home-grown technological solutions toward Nigeria's industrialisation.
- The winners were awarded grants to improve their solutions and contribute to national development.
