In a powerful affirmation of the ingenuity that pulses through the country’s young population, a partnership between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Mastercard Foundation, and the Lagos-based innovation platform NerdzFactory has taken concrete steps to empower young innovators with training, grants, and strategic support to scale solutions that speak to real community needs. The event, held in Lagos as part of the Young Africa Innovates (YAI) Programme, brought together policy experts, entrepreneurs, development partners, and young creative minds to deliberate and celebrate innovation as a driver of sustainable growth.
At the heart of the gathering was a clear message: Nigeria’s youth are not merely beneficiaries of development but are active creators of solutions in health, food systems, digital finance, agricultural technology and entrepreneurial tools that improve everyday life. With funding and capacity building on the table, many young Nigerians are now better equipped to take their ideas from concept to viable businesses that can contribute meaningfully to local and national development.
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UNDP and Mastercard Foundation Are Empowering Young Innovators for Real Community Impact
The Young Africa Innovates Programme is a flagship initiative supported by the Mastercard Foundation and implemented with technical oversight by UNDP. It aims to identify, nurture and scale youth-led innovations across several Nigerian states, including Lagos. The journey began with thousands of applications, which were eventually funnelled down through rigorous boot camps, mentorship, and incubation stages. This year alone, close to 205 innovators were selected from more than 9,000 applicants to participate in in-depth training sessions and receive grants that will help them refine and expand their innovations, according to UNDP.
During the Lagos showcase, organisers highlighted the diverse range of innovations conceived by young people. These solutions tackle significant barriers affecting ordinary Nigerians from financial exclusion to climate-related challenges. By offering a platform for young minds to demonstrate prototypes, discuss pathways to scale and meet potential investors, the programme seeks to bridge the gap between raw talent and real-world impact.
Founding partner of NerdzFactory, Ade Olowojoba, described the YAI Programme as a transformational effort that connects youth with the tools and guidance they need to thrive. He emphasised that this initiative is not about short-term excitement but about building a sustainable pipeline of innovation that aligns with Lagos State’s development priorities and leverages the energy of young entrepreneurs.
Innovation Across Sectors With Local Relevance
One of the standout features of the initiative is its commitment to inclusivity. A significant portion of participants are women, and those with disabilities are deliberately encouraged to partake, underscoring that innovation should be accessible to all segments of society. This focus has ensured that solutions emerging from the programme are not only technologically sound but deeply rooted in the lived experiences of Nigerians across age, gender and ability.
According to UNDP, across the seven states engaged by the programme, innovators are addressing problems that matter. In Lagos, for example, young entrepreneurs have developed tech platforms that streamline informal financial services, create offline-capable inventory systems for wholesalers, and offer digital solutions that build trust in online commerce. Elsewhere, innovators are working on sustainable energy systems, community health tools, and financial inclusion platforms that target underserved communities.
The variety of projects showcased at the event spoke to the breadth of young Nigerians’ creativity and commitment to addressing systemic challenges. Some participants have focused on making psychological care and autism support more accessible, while others are targeting urban challenges such as inefficient logistics, financial literacy barriers, and agricultural supply chain gaps. Each idea, nurtured through mentorship and technical support, represents a young person’s response to a challenge they see in their own communities.
Voices from the UNDP Representative: Creativity Meets Opportunity
UNDP’s Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms Elsie Attafuah, underscored the transformative role that the partnership with the Mastercard Foundation plays in unlocking the full potential of youth across the country. She praised the creativity and resilience that young Nigerians bring to solving problems that have long resisted conventional approaches. According to her, the programme’s emphasis on inclusivity and grassroots innovation is what sets it apart.
“This showcase proves that breakthrough solutions can emerge from unconventional places such as local markets and small workshops,” she told participants, emphasising that innovative ideas do not require extravagant resources but can grow from deep understanding of a community’s needs. By equipping innovators with mentorship, financial resources, and connections to networks, the programme helps translate passion into sustainable initiatives.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, reaffirmed the state government’s support for young innovators. She positioned Lagos as a hub for entrepreneurship and digital innovation, noting that deliberate investments in infrastructure, startup clusters, and innovation policy have created an enabling environment for young entrepreneurs to flourish.
Panel discussions at the event brought forward reflections from innovation leaders and startup founders on the persistent challenges that young entrepreneurs face. Among the issues raised were inadequate power supply, limited access to funding, and the need for better business intelligence data to support decision-making in small enterprises. Speakers called for deeper collaboration between government, private sector, development partners and grassroots innovators to collectively address these barriers.
Looking Ahead With Confidence and Purpose
As the Young Africa Innovates Programme progresses into its next phases, the focus now shifts to state-level showcases and broader ecosystem engagement. These events will provide platforms for young innovators to pitch their projects, demonstrate prototypes, and foster partnerships with stakeholders from government, industry, academia and investor communities, as reported by UNDP.
For many participants, the exposure and confidence gained through the programme have been transformative. Beyond the technical skills acquired during boot camps and workshops, young innovators now have stronger business strategies, clearer market pathways, and critical support networks that can help them grow. This momentum is vital at a time when Nigeria faces high youth unemployment and a pressing need for solutions that drive economic inclusion.
The YAI initiative illustrates what is possible when young people are given trust, resources and platforms to lead. By nurturing homegrown solutions that tackle local problems, it positions youth at the centre of Nigeria’s socio-economic transformation. Importantly, it also sends a resounding message: Nigerian innovation is thriving, resilient and ready to contribute to the country’s development story.
In cities like Lagos, optimism is no longer a slogan but a lived reality for many young innovators as they step confidently into the spotlight to showcase ideas with the potential to shape not just local communities but markets across Africa..
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