The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to building a robust innovation ecosystem that will transform Nigerian ideas and prototypes into viable enterprises, productive industries, quality jobs and globally competitive products, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
The President who was represented by the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN stated this at the InnovateNaija 2026 Award Ceremony organised by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) in Abuja. The Minister, who conveyed the President’s message to the innovators, finalists and award recipients, described Nigerian innovators as critical drivers of national prosperity, noting that their ability to identify challenges and develop practical solutions demonstrated the initiative, courage and confidence required to build a more productive Nigeria.
Tinubu said the recognition of the innovators was more than an award, describing it as an investment in their capacity to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic and industrial transformation. He noted that the Federal Government’s development agenda places a productive, inclusive and resilient economy at the centre of national ambition, with emphasis on decent job creation, stronger local industries, expanded exports and improved livelihoods.
The President stressed that Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) remained central to achieving these objectives, assuring that government would continue to equip young Nigerians with the knowledge, skills and tools required to compete in present-day industries and shape the industries of the future. Also emphasised that research, innovation, investment and industry must work together to convert Nigeria’s abundant human talent and natural resources into sustainable productive and industrial capacity.
He commended NASENI, AfriLabs, the NASENI Innovation Hub, the InnovateNaija project team, judges, sponsors and participating institutions for creating a platform through which innovative solutions from communities across Nigeria could access expertise, funding, mentorship and market opportunities, acknowledging NASENI’s strategic role in advancing indigenous technology, engineering capabilities and local manufacturing, and called for sustained engagement with innovators beyond the award ceremony through technical support, testing, mentorship, manufacturing partnerships and access to markets.
Tinubu assured the award recipients that government support would extend beyond the ceremony through NASENI, other relevant government agencies and the proposed National Research and Innovation Development Fund.
In their goodwill messages, the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, and the Governor of Anambra State, 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, while reaffirming their respective states’ commitment to innovation, digital inclusion, youth empowerment and the development of home-grown solutions.
Also 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. Stressing that young Nigerians possess the creativity and capacity to develop solutions to national challenges, but require sustainable, “organic empowerment” that enables them to 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. He noted that the country was not short of ideas or talent but required stronger bridges connecting innovators to opportunities, prototypes to production and talent to industry. He emphasised the need for research to connect with industry and innovations to reach markets, while congratulating the finalists and winners and disclosing that ₦220 million in prizes would be awarded under the InnovateNaija programme.
The event culminated in the recognition of outstanding innovators across various categories. Adaeze Ruth Akpagbulu of Abia State emerged as the winner of the Overall National Category for innovating Penkeep Climate-Smart Device and got an award of One Hundred Million Naira while Emmanuel Paul from Adamawa State won the Inter-State Category (Ages 5–15) for innovating a Security Alert System for IDP Camps and Households and got the award of Five Million Naira out of the six winners. Others are Inter-Agency Category won by NASRDA, while NASENI emerged winner of the Intra-Agency Category.
Also the Chief Executive of Officer of Zeberced Limited awarded the six winners of the inter – state category of ages 5-15 with Two Million Naira each.
Mrs Pauline Sule,mnipr
Head, Press and Public Relations
