Innovation has varied definitions. First, it may refer to the idea of bringing forth new things such as invention in profound ways, especially in technology, where ideas have often transformed into new products. Also it can be defined as a new way of doing something or even a new way of thinking.
Innovation is a worldwide phenomenon and it is driving countries into technological and economic development through productivity, competitiveness, job creation, and better living standards by introducing new technologies and processes, creating new markets, enhancing efficiency and offering new solutions to global challenges.
Practically every country that has made progress in the modern world did so because of the seriousness attached to innovation, especially investments in competitions that have motivated young people to excel in different fields. Countries that invested heavily in research and development (R&D) and fosters innovation ecosystems have seen significant long-term growth and global influence.
It is on record that many countries have introduced innovative Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) competitions at younger age levels, with China, the United States of America (USA), South Korea, Singapore, and nations across Europe leading in this area.
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Nigeria, Ethiopia and Tanzania are countries in Africa that have important youth programmes. A cursory look at the world's largest investors in youth innovative programmes tilts the balance in favour of the United States, which has created outstanding national and international events.
The US has programmes such as the Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS), the oldest and most prestigious science competition for high school seniors, and the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), which draws participants from over 75 countries. Programmes like FIRST Robotics expose children to engineering and teamwork from an early age.
China is reputed for producing the largest number of STEM graduates and a dominant force in youth competition globally. South Korean government and private companies like Huawei invest heavily in R&D and hosts large-scale competitions, such as the Huawei ICT Competition. The "100 Scientists in Elementary and Middle School Classrooms" programme is an innovative approach to inspire young students.
The UK has several initiatives, including the British Physics Olympiad, the UK CanSat Competition (small satellite building for ages 14+), and the British Science Week poster competition for ages 3-14, providing pathways into science and engineering careers.
Nigeria is unequivocal in its resolve to harness the energy and talents of its youth to drive innovation that will herald growth and development to the country. The country has in recent times made massive investments in innovation because of the crucial nature of this variable to the economic and industrial development.
It has made enormous policies and programmes tailored to the development of young talents and youth competitiveness modeled after successful countries. Innovation is at the hub of policies and programmes of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) since Khalil Suleiman Halilu emerged as the Executive Vice Chairman/ CEO of the agency.
One of the major initiatives to build the budding innovation skill in Nigeria is the FutureMakers by NASENI in partnership with AfriLabs, to drive Nigeria's industrialization by nurturing young talents, fostering a culture of innovation, and providing the foundation for homegrown technological solutions that aim to reduce import dependency and drive economic self-reliance.
Just last week Thursday, the Agency launched FutureMakers by NASENI (www.innovation.naseni.gov.ng/futuremakers) to inspire young minds to develop innovative solutions to societal challenges by fostering a culture of creativity and problem-solving, another step toward securing Nigeria's long-term innovation future.
"We are here to officially launch FutureMakers by NASENI, another national programme designed to identify, nurture and empower young innovators between the ages of 5 and 16 years", Halilu said, adding that early exposure creates lifelong innovators and Nigeria is joining that league, through FutureMakers by NASENI," said Halilu.
According to him, FutureMakers, an initiative of NASENI Innovation Hub, is part of a long-term national strategy to build technical confidence early, develop problem-solvers and inventors, prepare young people for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), entrepreneurship and leadership, strengthen Nigeria's innovation ecosystem from the ground up and feed 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 emphasized, urging parents to encourage their children to let creativity lead the way, to teachers, to make innovation a daily experience and to partners and the private sector, to invest, sponsor competitions, build hubs, fund prototypes and raise a new generation of problem-solvers.
FutureMakers is tailored towards students at primary and secondary school levels with grants, scholarships, and mentorship programs for innovative projects. This focus on STEM education and practical skills is crucial for developing the skilled workforce needed for a modern industrial sector.
The programme empowers young innovators and builds an ecosystem where new technologies can flourish; especially as Nigeria steadily pushes towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution with the policy of integrating technologies like AI, robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) into future industries.
NASENI is taking one of the most significant steps to announce Nigeria on the world map of innovation by introducing FutureMakers being that it will positively impact its industrialization by nurturing young talents, foster a culture of innovation, and provide the foundation for homegrown technological solutions that aim to reduce import dependency and drive economic self-reliance.
Special Adviser to the EVC/CEO on Commercialization and Efficiency, Engr. Dr. Anas Balarabe Yazid, a beneficiary of Junior Engineers, Technicians and Scientists (JETS) competition that was popular in secondary schools in the 1990s and 2000s said, FutureMakers is not just about design thinking, robotics, coding, engineering, or competitions.
"It is about something deeper: believing in our children before the world has fully seen them, investing in their talent before their CV exists, and creating an experience that will stay with them for life - the moment they realize they can build things, solve real problems and be a maker of the future," Yazid added.
Nigeria's future is very bright with FutureMakers by NASENI, because it is the platform that will support future development and commercialization of local products and solutions that will make Nigerian products competitive in the global market and help generate the much needed foreign exchange particularly now that the President Bola Tinubu administration is focused in diversifying Nigerian economy away from oil.
Head of NASENI Innovation Hub, Mrs. Rachael Oluwabusola Perez-Folayan stated that the programme, which holds from December 2025 to February 2026, would have a total number of 60 children selected from the six geo-political zones, with prizes worth up to N5million to top winners from each geopolitical zone, including an exclusive study tour abroad with the EVC of NASENI and a scholarship.
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Nigeria stands to gain from FutureMakers by NASENI as the programme provides critical infrastructure, capacity building, and resources to help student innovators and their startups bridge the gap between their ideas and market-ready products.
It has become incumbent on governments at all levels in Nigeria to support NASENI to invest more on initiatives like FutureMakers and allied programmes as they have the potentials to stimulate innovation and create a more flexible, technology-driven economy.
NASENI is demonstrating that it can lead Nigeria to increase its industrial output, galvanize higher employment, accelerate higher tax revenues, and attract more foreign direct investments, all of which are essential components of sustainable industrial and economic growth.
To dominate the future in innovation, programmes such as FutureMakers by NASENI must be expanded and inspired through incentives and policies to play an active role in guiding economic development, identifying and promoting specific industries.
Therefore, the education of Nigerian young people must come as a priority to all governments and stakeholders in the education sector and making sure that education, vocational training and skills development are tailored towards industrial development.
Just like the advanced economies and the Asian Tigers adapted to changing global conditions, moving up the value chain from light manufacturing to global leadership, Nigeria can leverage this programme to highlight its impacts on technology.
Nigeria must therefore push forward more investments such as FutureMakers by NASENI through strategic government policies, supported by human capital, which will allow the country to harness the power of innovation in its young ones for unparalleled economic transformation, industrial development and lasting prosperity.
