The Federal Government has opened a ₦140 million NASENI innovation competition for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), giving government institutions a chance to turn practical, technology-driven ideas into real solutions. In this guide, you’ll see who can apply, what’s in it for you, and how to take part.
If you’ve been paying attention to how the Federal Government is pushing innovation within the public sector, this is one update you shouldn’t ignore. The NASENI innovation competition is now officially open, with up to ₦140 million available to support ideas that can improve how government services work for everyday Nigerians.
This move also fits into the FG’s broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy. Beyond public-sector innovation, the government recently announced a nationwide digital skills training programme that includes free laptops for Nigerians, aimed at helping citizens gain relevant tech skills for today’s workforce.
Led by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), the competition challenges MDAs like yours to think creatively, collaborate more effectively, and develop solutions to real problems people face daily.
This move signals a stronger push toward innovation-led governance — and it sets the stage for what the competition is really about.
NASENI Overview
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) is a Federal Government agency established in 1992 to develop science, engineering, and industrial infrastructure in Nigeria. It operates under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (or the government’s science and technology portfolio), rather than as part of a commercial ministry.
Although NASENI functions with a degree of autonomy, its activities and policy direction are aligned with the broader science and technology priorities of the Federal Government overseen by that ministry.
What the NASENI Innovation Competition Is Really About
At its core, the NASENI competition is about finding smart solutions from within government. Rather than outsourcing innovation, the Federal Government wants MDAs themselves to come up with ideas that can improve service delivery and tackle national challenges.
This approach mirrors other funding and support initiatives such as the NFWP Grant and the Tony Elumelu Foundation Grant, where emphasis is placed on empowering local actors with the resources they need to turn workable ideas into real impact.
NASENI, which was created to drive Nigeria’s industrialisation through science and engineering, believes that many of the answers Nigeria needs already exist within public institutions — they just need the right platform and support.
That’s why this competition focuses on ideas that can be implemented, scaled, and sustained. And this naturally leads to the question many people are asking next: who exactly can apply?
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
This is important to clarify early. The NASENI competition is strictly for Federal Government MDAs, meaning ministries, departments, and agencies can apply directly.
Unlike opportunities such as the WASSMAS Agriculture Grant, SFDP Health Innovation Challenge, or the FG TISSF interest-free loan, which are open to individuals, startups, or private-sector participants, this competition is limited to government institutions.
Individuals, startups, and private businesses are therefore not eligible on their own. However, MDAs can collaborate internally to develop strong proposals that demonstrate clear and measurable impact.
The idea here is simple: strengthen innovation from inside government first. Once that’s clear, the next thing to know is how the application works.
How to Apply for the NASENI Competition 2026
All submissions must be completed online through the online NASENI innovation portal: https://naseni.gov.ng/innovation/login.html
Website: https://naseni.gov.ng/
It’s worth noting that this application process is different from programmes such as the GEEP Loan Programme, loans with NIN only, the FG YouthCred Loan, or opportunities like the Coca-Cola HBC International Leadership Trainee Program, which each have their own separate application platforms and eligibility requirements.
For the NASENI competition, only qualified MDAs can submit proposals, and applications are expected to focus on clear, practical solutions with measurable outcomes.
MDAs are expected to submit well-thought-out proposals that clearly explain:
- The problem being addressed
- The proposed innovation or solution
- How technology or science is being applied
- The expected impact on Nigerians
Only ideas that show practicality and national relevance will stand a chance. And of course, the big motivation for many MDAs is the reward attached.
How Much Is the Prize and Why It Matters
The total prize pool for the NASENI competition is ₦140 million, making it one of the biggest innovation incentives currently available within Nigeria’s public sector.
While this funding is structured differently from research-focused programmes like the CLIFF-GRADS Fellowship—where selected fellows typically receive between USD $10,000 and $12,000 to cover international travel, living expenses, and research costs—the goal is similar: providing targeted support that enables impactful ideas to move from concept to implementation.
Beyond the financial reward, winning MDAs also gain national recognition and institutional support to help bring their ideas to life. For Nigerians, this translates into better systems, improved public services, and more efficient government operations across key sectors.
And speaking of efficient government operations, many Nigerians are also curious about who is driving this innovation push at NASENI.
Who Is Leading NASENI Today?
NASENI is currently led by Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Since his appointment, the agency has placed stronger emphasis on innovation, youth participation, and technology-based solutions.
This focus on leadership development and youth engagement aligns with broader efforts across the ecosystem, including programmes such as the Dr. Fola Aina Leadership Program, which offers young Nigerians opportunities to build leadership skills and access mentorship.
Under his leadership, NASENI has rolled out several initiatives aimed at repositioning Nigeria as a serious player in science, engineering, and industrial development. The inter-agency competition is one of such efforts — and it fits into a much bigger picture.
Why This Competition Matters to Nigerians
Even though the NASENI competition is designed for MDAs, its impact goes far beyond government offices. The innovations expected from this programme are meant to improve everyday life — from healthcare and education to agriculture and infrastructure.
While support schemes such as the Jaramoni loan, Singacash loan, and Hi Credit loan focus on providing short-term financial relief to individuals, initiatives like the NASENI competition aim to address systemic challenges by improving how public services are delivered.
For Nigerians, this means better services, smarter use of technology, and a government that is gradually embracing solutions that actually work.
As the competition unfolds and more MDAs submit ideas, many Nigerians will be watching closely to see which innovations make it through — and how they eventually translate into real change on the ground.
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