NASENI unveils Nationwide talent hunt to groom Nigeria’s next generation of innovators

The programme, known as FutureMakers, was officially launched on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja, with a focus on children aged 5 to 16. According to NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, the project is designed to inspire young minds to create solutions to real-life challenges.

Speaking at the launch, Halilu described the initiative as a strategic investment in the nation’s future.
“Today, we take another step toward securing Nigeria’s long-term innovation future,” he said. “FutureMakers is a national programme to identify, nurture and empower young innovators. Early exposure creates lifelong innovators, and Nigeria is joining that league.”

He explained that the programme, run by the NASENI Innovation Hub, is part of a broader national plan to build technical confidence early in children, prepare them for STEM fields, strengthen the innovation ecosystem from the grassroots, and feed young talent into NASENI’s incubation and acceleration programmes.
“This is our way of securing Nigeria’s innovation stability over the next 30 to 50 years,” he added, encouraging parents, teachers and private-sector partners to support young creators through funding, mentorship, competitions and prototype development.

In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the EVC/CEO on Commercialization and Efficiency, Engr. Dr. Anas Balarabe Yazid, noted that FutureMakers goes beyond robotics, coding and design thinking. He said the initiative focuses on building confidence in children long before the world recognizes their potential.
“It is about believing in our children before their CV exists… giving them the moment where they realize they can build things, solve real problems and be makers of the future,” he said.

Also speaking, the Head of NASENI Innovation Hub, Mrs. Rachael Oluwabusola Perez-Folayan, said the programme which runs from December 2025 to February 2026,will feature 60 children selected from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Winners from each zone will receive prizes worth up to ₦5 million, alongside a foreign study tour with the EVC and a scholarship.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on NASENI, Senator Francis Ezenwa Onyewuchi, praised the Agency for initiating a programme that supports young talent at such a foundational level.
He urged stakeholders to remain committed to building a country where creativity and ideas are encouraged.
“What we are doing today will inspire a new generation,” he said.

Students from Aflon Digital Academy, Kuje, and Government Secondary School, Idu-Karmo, were among those in attendance at the colourful launch event.

The programme marks yet another bold step by NASENI toward shaping a technologically driven future for Nigeria.