Written by Are you a young Nigerian with a homegrown, game-changing product in science, engineering, or manufacturing? Apply now for the InnovateNaija Challenge, open to Nigerians aged 15–40 nationwide and stand a chance to win #100million Naira.
The Innovate Naija Challenge is designed to spark nationwide excitement and online engagement by identifying, empowering, and supporting innovative youths across Nigeria. Through creative video submissions, participants will showcase their inventions or ideas for a chance to receive funding, with 37 winners selected from across the country. The challenge aims to ignite creativity and generate vibrant energy within Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem, using social media to create a dynamic, high-energy movement that celebrates local talent and ingenuity.
Campaign Goals
Empower Nigerian Innovators
Empower Nigerian Innovators through direct support and national recognition.
Strengthen Nigeria’s Innovation Ecosystem
Strengthen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem via partnerships with the private sector and academia.
Fast-track Economic Diversification
Fast-track economic diversification by supporting local solutions to local problems.
Promote a culture of Innovation
Promote a culture of innovation at all levels from grassroots to industry.
Who can apply?
Young Nigerian innovators within the ages of 15-40 who have designed products and solutions within the science, engineering and manufacturing sector. Individuals passionate about tech, creativity and providing solution to real world challenges including from the grassroots.
Young Nigerians engaged in science, technology, engineering across the Nation
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a citizen of Nigeria.
- Must currently reside in Nigeria (temporary visitors or students abroad are not eligible).
- Open to youths of ages 15-40
- Innovative products must be at any of these stages: Prototype or Fully Developed. Products still at Idea stages are NOT eligible for the application.
- Innovative products must be within the science engineering and manufacturing sector.
- Innovation must be original and created by the applicant or team.
- Innovation must solve a local problem or improve community life.
- Applicants can submit ideas in English or local language with translation (if possible).
- Application is open to individuals or teams. For teams, one member must be designated as the primary contact.
- Applicants must be emerging talents and grassroots inventors, not fully-funded startups.
- Low-tech or no-tech solutions are welcome! Tech-enabled is great but not required.
- Innovation must be applicable or adaptable to the Nigerian context.
- Each applicant/team can only submit one innovation.
- Each applicant/team must have at least an instagram handle/account