In a significant call to action, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has implored Nigeria’s burgeoning community of young innovators to channel their ingenuity towards the creation of practical and commercially viable solutions. These solutions, NASENI emphasizes, must be specifically designed to tackle the nation’s most pressing and persistent challenges. This directive was issued by the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Halilu, during the commencement of the virtual hackathon phase of the FutureMakers by NASENI innovation programme. This critical phase saw the participation of 60 promising young innovators, representing the diverse tapestry of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, who began their intensive virtual collaborative sessions on Tuesday.
Mr. Halilu articulated a vision for Nigeria’s future, asserting that the nation must proactively cultivate and empower its young innovators. This support, he stressed, should manifest in the provision of robust infrastructure, invaluable mentorship, and dedicated platforms. Such resources are deemed essential for effectively transforming nascent ideas into tangible, market-ready products. He highlighted the significance of the 60 participants, stating, “These 60 innovators represent what is possible when young Nigerians are equipped with the right infrastructure, mentorship and platform to solve the problems closest to them.” This underscores the belief that with the appropriate ecosystem, young Nigerians possess the capacity to become powerful agents of change.
The overarching objective of this initiative, according to Mr. Halilu, is to catalyze Nigeria’s economic evolution. The program aims to steer the country away from its current status as a predominantly consumer-driven economy towards one that is fundamentally rooted in production. This transformation will be achieved by empowering young Nigerians to conceive and develop innovative solutions that directly address the multifaceted challenges prevalent within their respective communities.
The intensive four-day virtual hackathon, scheduled to run from August 17th to August 20th, provides a dynamic environment for participants to develop functional prototypes and meticulously refine technology-driven solutions. These solutions are tailored to address specific challenges that are unique to each of Nigeria’s geopolitical regions. For instance, the North-West cohort is dedicating its efforts to identifying and dismantling gender-related barriers that impede innovation and stifle creative thinking. Meanwhile, innovators hailing from the North-Central zone are focusing their energies on devising strategies to bolster food security, a critical issue often exacerbated by regional insurgency. In the North-East, participants are engaged in developing innovative approaches to conflict resolution and enhancing security measures. The South-West cohort is confronting the increasingly burdensome issue of the rising cost of education, which poses a significant challenge for average Nigerian families. Participants from the South-South region are addressing the persistent disconnect between academic research and industrial application, aiming to foster stronger collaboration. Lastly, the South-East contingent is developing interventions to mitigate the concerning trend of children engaging in trading activities at the expense of their formal education.
Ms. Busola Beckley Perez-Folayan, the Hub Manager of the NASENI Innovation Hub, elaborated on the strategic design of the program. She explained that the deliberate regional structuring of the hackathon was implemented to ensure that participants are directly engaged with and developing solutions for the most pertinent challenges affecting their immediate communities. Furthermore, she noted that the adoption of a virtual format has significantly democratized access to the program. By eliminating the financial burdens and logistical complexities often associated with in-person events, the virtual modality has opened doors for a wider and more inclusive participation. Ms. Perez-Folayan reiterated, “The regional structure allows participants to develop solutions based on challenges directly affecting their communities.”
Throughout the hackathon, the participating innovators are benefiting from invaluable technical guidance and expert mentorship. This support system is designed to assist them as they diligently work towards the creation of practical and functional prototypes. Following the hackathon, all 60 participants are slated to advance to the FutureMakers Pitch Sessions, scheduled to take place from August 24th to August 26th. During these sessions, they will have the esteemed opportunity to present their innovative solutions to a distinguished panel of judges and influential industry leaders. For wider accessibility and engagement, these crucial pitch sessions will be broadcast live across popular social media platforms, including YouTube and Facebook.
The incentive structure for the program is designed to reward excellence and encourage sustained innovation. The top three innovators within each geopolitical zone will be recognized with cash prizes of N1.5 million, N1 million, and N500,000, respectively. The six outstanding zonal winners will then progress to compete at the prestigious NASENI Invention Fest. Here, they will vie for a grand prize package that includes N5 million, a fully funded international study tour, and scholarships to two esteemed Nigerian universities. Beyond monetary rewards and accolades, NASENI is committed to fostering the long-term success of its innovators. Successful participants will gain access to the agency’s state-of-the-art SparkLab prototyping facility, comprehensive technical training, and personalized, ongoing mentorship. Furthermore, a select group of participants will be afforded the unique opportunity to embark on an international study tour, accompanying the NASENI EVC/CEO, providing invaluable global exposure.
The impact of the FutureMakers campaign has been substantial, with the agency reporting over 2.6 million impressions and securing more than 20 media placements, underscoring its broad reach and public engagement. This transformative program is being meticulously implemented through strategic collaborations with key academic and ecosystem partners, including esteemed institutions such as MIVA Open University and the African University of Science and Technology, Abuja. NASENI views the FutureMakers initiative as a vital talent pipeline, specifically designed to nurture and support early-stage Nigerian innovators. It provides them with critical access to funding, expert mentorship, specialized training, and essential engineering and prototyping infrastructure, all aimed at empowering them to transform their innovative ideas into commercially successful ventures.
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