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NASENI’s FutureMakers Aims to Build Next Generation of Problem-Solvers
In a strategic move to secure Nigeria’s long-term technological future, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has officially launched the FutureMakers programme. The initiative is designed to identify, nurture, and empower young innovators between the ages of 5 and 16, instilling a culture of creativity and problem-solving from an early age.
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The launch event was held on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the NASENI headquarters in Abuja, with the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, declaring that the nation’s technological destiny belongs to its youth.
A Long-Term National Strategy for Innovation
Halilu framed FutureMakers as a critical investment in Nigeria’s innovation stability for the next 30 to 50 years. The programme, hosted on the NASENI Innovation Hub portal, is a core part of a national strategy to:
- Build technical confidence and develop inventors from childhood.
- Prepare young people for STEM, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
- Strengthen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem from the ground up.
- Feed talent directly into NASENI’s own incubation and acceleration pipelines.
“Early exposure creates lifelong innovators, and Nigeria is joining that league through FutureMakers,” Halilu stated. He called on parents, teachers, and the private sector to actively support the vision by encouraging children, integrating innovation into daily learning, and sponsoring competitions and prototypes.
Beyond Competitions: Building Belief and Capability
Officials emphasized that the programme transcends typical robotics or coding contests. Engr. Dr. Anas Balarabe Yazid, Special Adviser to the EVC on Commercialization, described it as “believing in our children before the world has fully seen them,” aiming to create a transformative experience that proves to them they can be “makers of the future.”
Mrs. Rachael Oluwabusola Perez-Folayan, Head of the NASENI Innovation Hub, outlined the programme’s structure:
- Duration: Runs from December 2025 to February 2026.
- Participants: 60 children will be selected across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones.
- Prizes: Top winners from each zone will share prizes worth up to N5 million, including an exclusive study tour abroad with the NASENI EVC and scholarships.
Broad Support for a National Vision
The launch garnered significant endorsement. Senator Francis Ezenwa Onyewuchi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on NASENI, commended the agency for the initiative, urging a renewed national commitment to elevate creativity and allow every child’s potential to thrive.
The event was attended by students from Aflon Digital Academy, Kuje, and Government Secondary School, Idu-Karmo, Abuja. This helped to symbolize the direct engagement with the programme’s target audience.
