The Nigerian Academy of Engineering awards N20 m for innovation at its flagship Engineering Innovation Competition in Lagos. The event, in its second year, saw the Academy honour home‑grown ingenuity with significant financial backing and a promise to mentor and commercialise cutting‑edge solutions.
Held on June 26, 2025, the competition attracted nearly 60 engineering‑focused entries from across the nation. Organised by the renowned Nigerian Academy of Engineering, the initiative reflects the Academy’s unwavering commitment to fostering local talent and addressing national challenges through technology.
President of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Professor Rahamon Bello, emphasised that “the problems of Nigeria can only be solved by Nigerians,” stressing the need to grant visibility and support to emerging innovators.
Grand Prizes and Winners
- ₦10 million Grand Award: Bestowed upon Dr. Anye Vitalis of the African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, for his innovative method of producing 3D‑printing filament from recycled PET bottles—an environmentally conscious and scalable project.
- ₦5 million Second Place: Awarded to a team from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, for their inventive automated hot‑air dryer heated by a top‑lit updraft (TLUD) biomass gasifier—addressing energy efficiency in drying processes.
- Third‑Place Awards, ₦2.5 million each: Shared by two worthy entries—a smart solar‑inverter management system and an innovative project led by Professor Babson Ajibade of the University of Cross River State, Calabar.
Seven finalists in total received awards, including ₦500,000 each to other standout innovators.
In addition, the Academy offered the Chairman’s Travel Fellowship Grant—a $4,000 sponsorship—to Dr. Terseer Ako of the University of Jos, a gesture designed to encourage networking and international collaboration.
Beyond Cash Prizes: Mentorship and Impact
The Nigerian Academy of Engineering awards for innovation weren’t limited to financial rewards. A dedicated mentorship and investment‑linkage committee now supports winners, guiding them toward refinement, funding, and commercialisation. Professor Bello emphasised that the Academy doesn’t “just give them money and leave them,” ensuring continual support and enhanced market readiness.
This year’s competition aligns seamlessly with the Federal Government’s “Nigeria First” policy, which prioritises reliance on locally made goods and services. By encouraging indigenous engineering talent, the Nigerian Academy of Engineering promotes sustainable economic development and technological self‑reliance.
Voices from the Academy
Dr. Keluo Chukwuogo chaired the Innovation Competition Committee and praised the entries for their practical relevance. He urged the government and private sector to support local innovators, stating, “When Nigerians innovate, the least we can do is support them.”
Professor Rahamon Bello reiterated that Nigeria, although “late to the innovation race,” can catch up through strategic backing and ecosystem building. The Nigerian Academy of Engineering awards N20 m for innovation, marking a clear step toward enabling such a future.
Showcase and Next Steps
Held alongside the annual Technology Dinner and Awards Night in Lagos, the event featured an exhibition showcasing the winning projects, networking opportunities with potential investors, and lively discussions around scaling indigenous engineering solutions.
Participants included fellows of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, university academics, corporate sponsors, and policymakers—all contributing to a collaborative vision for built-in‑Nigeria technology development.
Encouragingly, organisers revealed that the next edition will focus more on younger engineers and broaden participation from tertiary institutions, with follow‑up funding planned for previous winners to spur sustainable growth.
Why It Matters
- Environmental innovation: Dr. Vitalis’s PET‑to‑3D‑filament project tackles plastic waste, transforming it into valuable manufacturing inputs.
- Sustainable energy: The biomass‑powered dryer from FUTA addresses rural energy needs, offering a cleaner, affordable alternative.
- Renewable power management: Smart solar‑inverter systems are increasingly critical as Nigeria invests more in solar infrastructure.
By awarding ₦20 million across seven pioneering projects, the Nigerian Academy of Engineering reaffirms its mission to encourage real‑world engineering solutions and to support innovators beyond the award stage.
The Path Ahead
Through its visible commitment, the Academy is building a robust ecosystem for Nigerian ingenuity—uniting mentorship, funding, policy alignment, and investor networks. As these innovators advance toward commercialisation, their success could spur job creation, industrial growth, and enhanced global competitiveness for Nigerian tech.
Final Thoughts
The Nigerian Academy of Engineering awarding N20 m for innovation this year is more than a gesture—it’s a milestone. It signals the start of a broader, more inclusive strategy to harness Nigeria’s engineering potential. With financial backing, structured support, and growing visibility, the Academy is ensuring that bright ideas don’t stay confined to labs but find pathways to impact communities and markets.
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