Deadline: 19-Dec-2025
The Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAE) National Innovation Competition 2025 invites Nigerians to submit practical engineering and technology-driven innovations that solve national problems. The competition offers cash prizes, national recognition, and investor exposure, with winners announced in June 2026.
The Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAE) has opened entries for the 3rd edition of its National Innovation Competition, a flagship initiative designed to identify, encourage, and reward innovative solutions to pressing national challenges in Nigeria. The competition targets impactful, scalable innovations with clear engineering content and real-world applicability.
Competition Objective
The primary goal of the NAE National Innovation Competition is to promote engineering-led creativity that delivers measurable societal and economic benefits. Selected innovations will receive recognition and support aimed at accelerating national deployment and commercial adoption.
Key Focus Areas
Submitted innovations must fall within one or more of the following priority sectors:
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ICT and Telecommunications
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Agriculture and Food Processing
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Energy and Energy Transition
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Renewable Energy
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Infrastructure Development
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Health and Health Management
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Waste Management and Environmental Protection
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Transportation
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Mining and Mineral Processing
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics
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Climate Change and Ecological Challenges
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Manufacturing
Why This Competition Matters
The competition plays a strategic role in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem by:
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Encouraging locally developed engineering solutions to national problems
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Bridging the gap between ideas, prototypes, and market-ready solutions
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Connecting innovators with potential investors and stakeholders
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Supporting sustainable development through technology and engineering
Who Is Eligible?
The competition is open to:
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Nigerian engineers, scientists, technologists, technicians, craftsmen, and other professionals engaged in engineering or scientific innovation
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Individuals or collaborative teams
Not eligible: -
Fellows of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAE)
Types of Submissions Allowed
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Individual entries
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Team or collaborative submissions
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Third-party nominations of innovators
All entries must demonstrate identifiable engineering content and address a clearly defined national problem.
How the Competition Works
The competition is conducted in two structured stages.
Stage 1: Concept Note Submission
Applicants must submit a detailed Concept Note that includes:
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A clear description of the innovation
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The specific national problem being addressed
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Societal and economic benefits of the solution
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Engineering processes and technical components involved
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Current level of prototype or development
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Sketches, drawings, or photographs illustrating the concept
Submission requirements: -
Maximum length: 20 A4 pages
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File format: PDF
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Submission method: Email
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Submission window: Eight weeks, closing on December 19, 2025
Only shortlisted entries from Stage 1 will advance to Stage 2.
Stage 2: Full Proposal Submission
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a comprehensive full proposal. This stage focuses on detailed technical, implementation, and impact analysis.
Timeline for Stage 2:
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Opens: Thursday, January 15, 2026
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Closes: Friday, March 13, 2026
Duration: One month from notification
Additional submission guidelines will be provided to shortlisted participants after Stage 1 evaluation.
Selection and Announcement Timeline
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Stage 1 review and shortlisting: After December 19, 2025
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Stage 2 proposal development and assessment: January–March 2026
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Public announcement of winners: June 2026
Awards and Benefits
Winning innovations will receive:
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Cash prizes
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Certificates and plaques
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National and public recognition
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Promotion to potential investors
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Support for scaling and commercialization
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Submitting innovations without clear engineering content
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Failing to link the innovation to a defined national problem
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Exceeding the 20-page limit for Concept Notes
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Submitting files in formats other than PDF
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Missing the submission deadline
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Assuming eligibility despite being an NAE Fellow
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Nigerian Academy of Engineering National Innovation Competition?
It is a national platform organized by NAE to identify and reward engineering innovations that solve Nigeria’s societal and economic challenges.
Can teams submit a joint entry?
Yes, collaborative and team-based submissions are allowed.
Are prototypes required at the Concept Note stage?
A fully developed prototype is not mandatory, but the degree of development must be clearly stated and illustrated where possible.
Can someone nominate another innovator?
Yes, third-party nominations are permitted.
How should entries be submitted?
All entries must be submitted via email in PDF format.
Who cannot apply?
Fellows of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering are not eligible to participate.
When will winners be announced?
Winners will be publicly announced in June 2026.
Conclusion
The 3rd NAE National Innovation Competition represents a major opportunity for Nigerian innovators to gain funding, recognition, and national exposure for engineering-driven solutions. By focusing on scalable, problem-solving innovations, the competition supports Nigeria’s technological advancement and sustainable development goals.
For more information, visit NAEng.
