The Federal Government says it is committed to transforming Nigerian ideas and prototypes into viable businesses, productive industries, quality jobs and globally competitive products.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stated this Wednesday at the InnovateNaija 2026 Award Ceremony organised by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) in Abuja on Wednesday.
The President, who was represented by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, said Nigerian innovators were critical to the country’s economic prosperity because of their ability to identify challenges and develop practical solutions.
He described the recognition of innovators through the programme as more than an award, saying it represented an investment in their capacity to contribute to Nigeria’s economic and industrial transformation.
According to him, the Federal Government’s development agenda places a productive, inclusive and resilient economy at the centre of the country’s national ambition, with emphasis on job creation, stronger local industries, increased exports and improved livelihoods.
Tinubu said science, technology and innovation remained central to achieving these objectives, assuring young Nigerians that the government would continue to provide them with the knowledge, skills and tools needed to compete in contemporary industries and shape those of the future.
He stressed the need for research, innovation, investment and industry to work together to transform Nigeria’s human talent and natural resources into sustainable productive and industrial capacity.
The President commended NASENI, AfriLabs, the NASENI Innovation Hub, the InnovateNaija project team, judges, sponsors and participating institutions for creating a platform that enables innovative solutions from across the country to access expertise, funding, mentorship and market opportunities.
He also acknowledged NASENI’s strategic role in promoting indigenous technology, engineering capabilities and local manufacturing, urging the agency to sustain engagement with innovators beyond the award ceremony through technical support, testing, mentorship, manufacturing partnerships and access to markets.
Tinubu assured award recipients that government support would extend beyond the ceremony through NASENI and other relevant government agencies, as well as the proposed National Research and Innovation Development Fund.
In their goodwill messages, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, represented by his Deputy, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, and Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo, represented by his Special Adviser on Innovation and Business Incubation, Miss Chinwe Okoli, commended the initiative for identifying and accelerating promising innovations.
They also reaffirmed their respective states’ commitment to innovation, digital inclusion, youth empowerment and the development of home-grown solutions.
The Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, called for stronger collaboration among ministries, departments and agencies of government and sub-national governments to create greater opportunities for Nigerian youths through innovation, entrepreneurship and access to funding.
Olawande said young Nigerians had the creativity and capacity to develop solutions to national challenges but needed sustainable and “organic empowerment” to enable them progress from one stage of development to another.
Earlier, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Engr Khalil Suleiman Halilu, in his keynote address titled “Nigeria’s Innovation Era,” said Nigeria must move decisively from consumption to creation by transforming indigenous ideas and talent into products, industries and jobs.
Halilu said Nigeria was not short of ideas or talent but needed stronger connections between innovators and opportunities, prototypes and production, and talent and industry.
He emphasised the importance of linking research with industry and ensuring that innovations reached the market.
He congratulated the finalists and winners and disclosed that ₦220 million in prizes would be awarded under the InnovateNaija programme.
At the ceremony, Adaeze Ruth Akpagbulu of Abia State emerged winner of the Overall National Category for her Penkeep Climate-Smart Device, receiving a prize of ₦100 million.
Emmanuel Paul of Adamawa State won the Inter-State Category for ages 5–15 with his Security Alert System for IDP Camps and Households, receiving ₦5 million.
The Inter-Agency Category was won by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), while NASENI emerged winner of the Intra-Agency Category.
The Chief Executive Officer of Zeberced Limited also awarded each of the six winners in the Inter-State Category for ages 5–15 an additional ₦2 million.
The awards ceremony brought together innovators, government officials, development partners and other stakeholders to celebrate Nigerian innovations and promote their transition from ideas and prototypes to commercially viable products.
