The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) will, on Wednesday, 5th August 2026, host the Final Pitching Exercise of the NASENI Innovation Assessment & Awards Programme (NIAAP).

 The event will bring together some of Nigeria’s most promising innovators to compete for top honours in NASSNI’s intra-agency and inter-agency innovation competitions.

A press statement issued by Segun Ayeoyenikan, director of information at the agency, Sunday, said the Final Pitching Exercise marks the culmination of NASENI’s boldest innovation competition yet.

“From 180 applications submitted across NASENI Development Institutes and 81 applications received from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) nationwide, a rigorous assessment process has produced the Top 10 Finalists in both competition categories, who will now present their innovations in live pitches before a distinguished panel of experts.

“The event, scheduled to commence at 10:00 a.m. at the Technology Orientation Centre (TOC), NASENI Headquarters, Idu-Industrial Layout, Abuja, represents the final stage of the innovation assessment process and provides a platform for the finalists to present and defend their innovative ideas,” the statement said. 

Continuing, he said, “The independent panel of experts will assess each solution based on originality, technical merit, practical application, scalability, and potential socio-economic impact. At the conclusion of the exercise, the panel will select the three best innovations in each category, with the winners to be formally recognized and celebrated during NASENI FEST, the Agency’s flagship innovation celebration.

“The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, will officially declare the competition open. His participation reflects NASENI’s steadfast commitment to fostering a thriving innovation ecosystem that supports indigenous technology development, encourages research excellence, and accelerates Nigeria’s industrial transformation.”

Held under the theme, “Driving Innovation. Accelerating Industrialisation. Transforming Nigeria,” the programme aligns with NASENI’s strategic mandate of leveraging science, technology, and engineering to develop local solutions to national challenges while strengthening Nigeria’s industrial competitiveness. 

It also reinforces the agency’s commitment to discovering, nurturing, and rewarding innovative ideas capable of driving sustainable industrial growth and economic prosperity.