In a bold move to modernize Nigeria’s public sector, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has officially launched the Inter-Agency Innovation Competition and Awards. This initiative is designed to transform federal ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) into hubs of creativity and technological advancement.
The competition aims to bridge the gap between policy and practical problem-solving, tasking civil servants to develop indigenous, technology-led solutions for the nation’s most urgent socioeconomic hurdles.
Driving Indigenous Industrialization
According to a statement released Wednesday in Abuja, the program is a core component of NASENI’s broader mission. The agency emphasized that the challenge aligns perfectly with its mandate:
“To develop and maintain a dynamic infrastructure to drive Nigeria’s indigenous industrialisation, job creation and national progress for the country.”
By fostering a culture of innovation within the government itself, NASENI hopes to unlock latent talent within the civil service and encourage cross-sector collaboration.
Key Focus Areas
The competition isn’t just about theory; it’s about measurable impact. NASENI is calling for proposals that apply science and technology to critical sectors, including:
- Healthcare: Improving delivery and accessibility.
- Agriculture: Boosting food security and processing.
- Education: Modernizing learning through tech.
- Infrastructure: Building sustainable and efficient systems.
“This specific initiative amongst the MDAs seeks to harness innovative ideas that can drive technological advancement and address pressing challenges facing the nation amongst public servants,” the agency noted.
How to Participate
NASENI is urging all government institutions to see this as a “collective call to action” rather than just a contest. To streamline the process, the agency has opened a dedicated digital gateway for submissions.- Submission Portal: naseni.gov.ng/innovation/
- Eligibility: Open to all Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Encouraging a spirit of national unity and progress, the agency concluded: “Join the movement in driving innovation for a better Nigeria. Together, we can unlock our nation’s potential through innovation in science and technology.”
