Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has commenced the final pitching exercise of both intra and inter-agency innovation competition by a team of Independent Assessors in Abuja, marking a major step in its renewed drive to commercialize indigenous innovations and strengthen Nigeria’s industrial development agenda. This was contained in a statement signed by Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, Director of Information, NASENI.
The maiden edition of the exercise brought together innovators from NASENI System wide and Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), whose projects emerged from a rigorous selection process and are now being evaluated for technical merit, commercial potential and capacity to address real-life challenges.
The pitching exercise is taking between 5th and 6th August 2026 at NASENI Headquarters in Abuja.
In his keynote address at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, described the programme as a strategic intervention designed to institutionalize innovation and accelerate commercialization of homegrown technologies found amongst public servants.
He stated that innovation thrives best within an ecosystem that encourages collaboration, knowledge-sharing and strategic support, adding that NASENI is committed to building such an ecosystem to transform promising ideas into products, businesses and industries.
Halilu noted that countries that have achieved sustainable industrial growth did so by investing consistently in innovation, engineering excellence and local manufacturing.
“Nigeria is blessed with abundant talent and creativity. What is required is a system that can identify innovative ideas, support their development and transform them into sustainable industrial capabilities,” he said.
The NASENI boss explained that the Agency has repositioned itself from a predominantly research-focused institution to one delivering measurable industrial outcomes through indigenous technology development, strategic partnerships and commercialisation initiatives.
According to him, “More than an awards initiative, the programme represents NASENI’s determination to build a sustainable pipeline of indigenous innovations capable of creating industries, generating jobs and unlocking new opportunities for economic growth across the country.”
He added that NASENI’s transformation agenda is anchored on three pillars of Creation, Collaboration and Commercialization, stressing that innovation must ultimately create value, improve lives, generate employment and contribute to economic growth.
Earlier in his welcome address the Chairman of the Steering Committee on Innovation Assessment and Awards and Director of Manufacturing Services, Engr. Dr. Olayode Olasupo, described the programme as a strategic platform for identifying and promoting innovative solutions capable of contributing to national development.
According to him, entries were received from thematic areas including engineering, science, finance, ICT, Renewable Energy, product packaging and other technology-driven fields.
The submissions underwent detailed assessments before qualifying for the final pitching stage.
Olasupo noted that beyond evaluating technical excellence, the exercise would assess the practical relevance, scalability and commercial viability of each innovation, ensuring that selected projects align with NASENI’s mandate of driving technology-based industrial development.
In a goodwill message, Professor Teddy Tigina of Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja, and Chief Medical Director of the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo, Benue State, emphasized the importance of ensuring that research and innovation deliver tangible benefits to society.
He observed that the quality of submissions reflected the immense talent available within Nigeria Public Service and stressed the need to harness such capabilities to address national challenges.
He assured participants that the assessment process would be guided by fairness, objectivity and scientific integrity.
Providing an overview of the programme, Engr. Dr. Okesola Abayomi said the initiative was designed to harness innovative ideas from NASENI and the wider Federal Public Service and to channel them toward sustainable commercialization pathways.
Abayomi revealed that 678 users registered on the innovation portal, while 261 completed submissions were received, comprising 180 entries from NASENI System Wide and 81 from participating MDAs, adding that submission and preliminary screening underwent technical assessments conducted by independent experts, with applicants’ identities concealed to ensure transparency and fairness.
“At the end of the evaluation process, 10 finalists from NASENI system and 10 also from participating MDAs emerged and are now presenting their innovations before the team of assessors in the final pitching exercise”
The programme is expected to culminate in the recognition of three (3) most outstanding innovations in each category with over 160 million Naira support grant at stake in this round to be provided by NASENI.
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