If you’re an engineer, scientist, technologist, technician or even a craftsperson in Nigeria who’s developed an idea, prototype or technical solution — the National Innovation Competition 2025 by the Nigerian Academy of Engineering is open and this could be your moment.
This competition invites Nigerians to submit original engineering and scientific work that address real national problems, offering a platform to showcase your innovation and move it toward scale and impact.
What the Innovation Competition Is All About
NAEng’s Innovation Competition is designed to identify, encourage and reward inventive solutions in engineering and technology that directly respond to Nigeria’s development challenges. The 2025 edition spans numerous fields including ICT and telecommunications, agriculture and food processing, energy and renewables, infrastructure, health, waste management, transportation, mining, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, climate change and manufacturing
The competition proceeds in two main stages: first, submission of a concept note; second, submission of a full proposal if shortlisted. The winners receive recognition, cash awards, and support to push their innovations further.
Who Can Apply & Eligibility
This competition is open to all Nigerians except Fellows of the Academy. It welcomes individuals or teams of engineers, scientists, technologists, technicians and craftsmen who are involved in creative technical work or product design. Self-nominations and third-party nominations are both allowed.
Your submission must clearly demonstrate engineering or technical content, address a relevant national problem, and show either a prototype or concept in development. Collaborative teams are encouraged.
Competition Format & Timeline
Stage-1: Submission of Concept Notes
Entries for the concept note stage open from 20 October 2025 and close on 19 December 2025. Your concept note should include: overview of the innovation and problem addressed, social and economic benefits, engineering methods involved, prototype development stage, sketches or illustrations, and profiles of key contributors. The concept note must not exceed 20 A4 pages and must be submitted in PDF format.
Stage-2: Submission of Full ProposalsShortlisted innovators from Stage-1 will be invited to develop full proposals. The time window runs from 15 January 2026 to 13 March 2026. Winners of the competition will be announced in June 2026.
Awards & Recognition
Winners gain not only cash prizes but also public recognition, plaques, certificates, and support to take their innovations toward commercialisation and investment. Past prize pools have reached tens of millions of Naira.
By participating, you also gain exposure, mentorship, networking opportunities and potential access to investors who can help you scale your idea.
Why You Should Apply (Especially in Nigeria)
In a country where young inventors often struggle for visibility, funding and the right platform, this competition stands out as a chance to bring your innovation into the spotlight. If your work addresses Nigeria’s real issues — from energy shortage to tech gaps, agriculture inefficiencies to AI solutions — this platform aligns with that.
Explore more opportunities like this
Being part of NAEng’s competition can strengthen your portfolio, deepen your technical skills, open doors to funding and let you build a name in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem. For students, early-career professionals or anyone with a prototype or idea that solves problems — now is the time.
How to Submit
All entries for stage 1 should be sent by email to info@nae.ng not later than Friday, December 19, 2025.
The Competition which is open to all Nigerian Engineers, Scientists, Technologists, Technicians and Craftsmen, and other professionals involved with engineering and scientific creativity, is aimed at identifying, encouraging and rewarding innovative works in science, engineering and technology that address and solve societal problems in Nigeria.
The winning innovations will be further assisted to scale up their innovations by promoting them to investors. Prizes will include Cash, Public Recognition, Promotion of Winning Concepts to Investors, Certificates and Plaques.
For more enquiries, contact:
The Honorary Secretary,
The Nigerian Academy of Engineering,
Chemical & Petroleum/Gas Engineering Complex, University of Lagos, Nigeria.
Tel: 0803 565 1455, 0907 077 8171
or Chairman, Innovation Competition via 0803 882 4592.
E-mail: info@nae.ng
Website: www.nae.ng
