The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has commenced its FutureMakers Virtual Hackathon and Pitch Sessions, bringing together 60 young innovators selected from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to develop technology-driven solutions to real-world challenges.
The programme, organised by the NASENI Innovation Hub, is designed to identify, mentor and support emerging talents while creating a pathway for young Nigerians to transform innovative ideas into practical solutions and potentially viable ventures. (Blueprint Newspapers Limited)
The five-day virtual hackathon is scheduled to run from Monday, August 17, to Friday, August 21, 2026, while the pitch sessions will take place from Monday, August 24, to Wednesday, August 26. The pitch sessions will also be streamed live on YouTube and Facebook, allowing a wider audience to follow the innovators as they present their solutions. (Techeconomy)
According to NASENI, the 60 participants were shortlisted from thousands of entries received from across the country. They represent all six geopolitical zones and will work on challenge statements specifically linked to the realities and development needs of their respective regions.
During the hackathon, participants will take part in an intensive virtual build sprint in which they will develop working solutions with support from technical facilitators and mentors.
The agency said innovators who successfully advance through the hackathon will proceed to the pitch stage, where they will present their solutions before a panel comprising judges and industry leaders.
The initiative is expected to provide participants with an opportunity not only to demonstrate their creativity but also to receive expert feedback and gain valuable exposure to the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Zonal Challenges at the Centre of Programme
A major feature of the FutureMakers programme is its zonal approach. Rather than asking all participants to develop solutions to a single national problem, innovators are expected to address challenges drawn from the lived realities of their respective geopolitical zones.
NASENI Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, described the programme as a deliberate effort to connect young innovators with practical development challenges.
He said FutureMakers Week represents the stage at which months of outreach and selection are transformed into actual solutions and ventures, with 60 innovators working across six zones and six challenge areas. (Blueprint Newspapers Limited)
The approach is intended to encourage participants to develop solutions that are locally relevant while maintaining the potential for wider adoption and commercialisation.
Cash Prizes, Scholarships and Other Opportunities
The programme also offers financial incentives and further opportunities for participants who distinguish themselves during the competition.
NASENI said winners emerging from each geopolitical zone would receive prizes of ₦1.5 million, ₦1 million and ₦500,000 respectively.
Beyond the zonal prizes, the top six innovators will proceed to the NASENI Invention Fest, where they will compete for a grand prize of ₦5 million.
Successful participants will also have opportunities to benefit from a fully funded study tour abroad and scholarship opportunities at two leading Nigerian universities. (Techeconomy)
The programme is therefore structured not simply as a short-term competition but as part of a broader talent-development pipeline aimed at helping promising young innovators acquire the skills, mentorship and exposure required to take their ideas further.
Mentorship and Skills Development
Technical mentorship is expected to play a central role throughout the hackathon.
Participants will receive guidance as they refine their concepts, develop prototypes and work towards producing solutions capable of addressing the challenge statements assigned to their zones.
The mentoring component is particularly important because many promising ideas require technical support, business guidance and access to networks before they can be transformed into sustainable products or services.
Through the programme, NASENI is seeking to bridge that gap by connecting young innovators with facilitators and experts who can help them improve both the technical and practical aspects of their projects.
The agency’s Innovation Hub also identifies mentorship, capacity-building, incubation and acceleration opportunities as key benefits of the FutureMakers initiative. (NASENI Innovation Hub –)
Promoting Homegrown Innovation
The initiative is part of NASENI’s broader mandate to promote science, technology, engineering and innovation as tools for Nigeria’s economic transformation.
The agency has emphasised the need for Nigeria to move from being primarily a consumer of technology and manufactured products to becoming a stronger producer of homegrown solutions.
By identifying young innovators early and providing them with structured support, FutureMakers is expected to contribute to the development of a new generation of technology-minded Nigerians capable of solving local problems.
The programme also provides an avenue for young participants to gain practical experience in problem-solving, teamwork, product development and pitching their ideas to industry experts.
Expanding Access Through a Virtual Format
The decision to hold the hackathon virtually is also expected to broaden participation and reduce geographical barriers.
Rather than requiring all participants to travel to a single location, the virtual format allows innovators from different parts of the country to participate in the same programme while receiving access to mentors and technical facilitators.
NASENI said the format demonstrates how government-backed innovation infrastructure can be used to reach young Nigerians beyond major technology centres such as Abuja and Lagos.
The pitch sessions will similarly be made available to the public through live streaming, providing greater visibility for the participants and their innovations.
Building a Sustainable Innovation Pipeline
The FutureMakers programme is also expected to create a pipeline through which promising ideas can progress beyond the competition.
Participants who emerge as top performers will have access to further opportunities, including incubation, mentorship, training and potential commercialisation support.
This approach could help address one of the major challenges facing Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem: the difficulty many young innovators encounter in moving from an idea or prototype to a sustainable product or business.
By linking innovation with mentorship, funding, scholarships and exposure, NASENI hopes to provide participants with the foundation needed to continue developing their solutions after the hackathon ends.
The agency has also positioned the initiative as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s homegrown innovation ecosystem and reduce reliance on externally developed solutions. (NASENI Innovation Hub –)