The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has awarded ₦437.5m to Nigerian innovators under three programmes aimed at promoting local technology, supporting young talents and accelerating industrial development.
The grants were presented on October 7 at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja during the finale of InnovateNaija, FutureMakers and the agency’s Innovation Assessment and Awards Competition.
The awards covered innovations developed by members of the public, children and teenagers, as well as researchers and professionals working in federal institutions.
Adaeze Ruth Akpagbula of Abia State emerged overall winner of InnovateNaija with her Smart Poultry Climate Control System, earning ₦100m.
Oluwatoyin Ogundeji of Ondo State came second with Smart Pond, receiving ₦30m, while Aminu Sale Jino of Katsina State won ₦20m for his Electric Vehicle Charging Engine.
The three finalists shared ₦150m, while 36 state champions received ₦2.5m each. Governors in Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Kaduna and Plateau states matched the grants for their respective champions, increasing their awards to ₦5m each.
InnovateNaija attracted 1,238 applications, with 133 innovations progressing to the next stage. The competition recorded 175,888 votes during its first nationwide voting phase before a second round helped select 15 finalists.
NASENI partner and event sponsor Zeberced also awarded ₦2m each to the 15 finalists.
The agency extended its support to younger innovators through FutureMakers, a programme organised in partnership with AfriLabs for children aged five to 16.
Emmanuel Paul emerged winner with Lafiya Alert, receiving ₦5m. Applications came from across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, covering areas such as agriculture, education, healthcare, manufacturing, renewable energy and climate challenges.
Under NASENI’s Innovation Assessment and Awards Competition, Dr Moshood Lanre Adetoro of the National Space Research and Development Agency won ₦70m in the inter-agency category.
Dr Habila Bitrus of the Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology, Zaria, received ₦40m for second place, while Isaac Johnson Ajeh of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development won ₦30m.
In the intra-agency category, Usman Yusuf of NASENI’s Manufacturing Services Department received ₦10m. Engr Oladapo Olatoye of the Electronics Development Institute, Awka, won ₦7.5m, while Engr Mikairu Aminu Abu of NASENI Solar Energy Limited, Karshi, received ₦5m.
The public-sector competition attracted 261 submissions, including 180 from NASENI and 81 from other federal ministries, departments and agencies. Twenty finalists presented their innovations at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja in August.
President Bola Tinubu was represented at the awards ceremony by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh. Other attendees included Kaduna State Deputy Governor Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe and Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande.
The funding is intended to help innovators develop their ideas into practical products and solutions. However, sustained technical support, investment and access to markets will be crucial to ensuring the projects achieve commercial success and contribute to local manufacturing and job creation.
Discussion0