The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has begun an outreach roadshow to mobilise civil servants to join an Inter‑Agency Innovation Competition, officials said on Monday, January 12, 2026.
The programme is part of efforts to tap into ideas within government that could help Nigeria’s long‑term industrial and technological development.
The roadshow began in Abuja, moving through offices of federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), where members of the NASENI Inter‑Agency Innovation Competition Committee explained how civil servants can participate.
They shared information about the competition and encouraged staff to submit ideas that address real challenges in sectors such as health, agriculture, education and infrastructure.
The competition offers a total grant of ₦140 million to successful innovators, giving civil servants financial and technical backing to develop their ideas into viable products or services. Submissions are made through the NASENI innovation portal, and committee members distributed flyers and spoke directly with staff to clarify the application process.
Engr. Dr. Olayode Olasupo, Chairman of the competition committee, said NASENI hopes to show that innovation does not only come from labs or private tech hubs, but also from civil servants who see problems every day in the work they do.
He said tapping into this pool of ideas can help solve service delivery issues and support national development goals.
Dr. Olasupo noted that many public servants have unique ideas shaped by their work experience in governance and administration. The competition aims to make innovation more visible and accessible to staff at all job levels, he said, while reinforcing NASENI’s mission to promote indigenous technology and reduce reliance on imports.
NASENI’s broader strategy includes developing home‑grown solutions, supporting commercialisation of innovations, and connecting inventors with technical and financial resources.
The agency believes that innovations from within the public service can contribute to job creation, improved public services and industrial growth under the Federal Government’s ongoing national development agenda.
By targeting civil servants across MDAs, NASENI is building a culture of innovation within the public sector and encouraging creativity in addressing national challenges.
Participation in the competition is intended to shift perceptions of civil servants from routine administrators to problem solvers capable of shaping Nigeria’s industrial future.
Next steps: NASENI will continue the roadshow in other federal offices and support applicants through the submission process. Winners of the innovation competition may receive funding and technical support to turn their ideas into real products or services that advance local industrial capacity.
