Federal Government has created a platform to enable civil servants develop innovative solutions aimed at addressing national challenges through local technology and research.
The initiative, established under the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) Innovation Assessment and Awards Programme, provides opportunities for project submissions, evaluation and grants for successful innovators to scale up production.
The programme was unveiled during the maiden edition of the final pitching exercise held at NASENI’s headquarters in Abuja, where 10 finalists from the Intra-Agency and Inter-Agency categories presented their innovative ideas.
The Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Halilu, said the initiative demonstrates the agency’s commitment to promoting innovation, commercialising research findings and creating employment opportunities.
Chairman of the NASENI Standing Committee on Innovation Assessment and Awards, Dr. Olayode Olasupo, said the selection process was transparent, adding that submissions were conducted through an indigenous online platform developed by the agency.
Some finalists expressed optimism that their innovations would provide solutions in key sectors including agriculture, healthcare and power, while the event featured exhibitions of some of the inventions presented for assessment by the panel.
RN
