Nigerian Engineers Launch Exciting Innovation Contest for Infrastructure Development
Nigerian Engineers Kick Off Innovation Contest to Boost Infrastructure Development
In a bid to boost infrastructure and technological advancement in the country, a group of professionals under the Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAEng) have launched an exciting new engineering innovation contest for Nigerians at home and abroad.
The aim is to ramp up innovations in the country by showcasing them to potential investors and turning the ideas into marketable products.
Speaking to reporters in Lagos, the President of NAEng, Prof. Peter Onwualu, highlighted that many Nigerians, both in formal and informal sectors, have brilliant concepts and ideas that need to be taken to the next level. Commercializing these innovations will enable them to contribute to the country’s production economy, reduce dependence on foreign goods and foreign exchange, and bolster the nation’s gross domestic product.
He pointed out, “One of the key focuses now is transitioning from a consumption-based economy to a production-oriented one, so that the nation can make a mark on the global stage.”
Furthermore, he noted that the pressure on the Naira is largely due to the country’s limited production capacity. He explained that the innovation contest is a step towards transforming Nigeria into a production-based economy.
According to Onwualu, the contest is open to all Nigerian engineers, scientists, technologists, technicians, craftsmen, and other professionals involved in engineering creativity. Prizes for the best concepts will include cash rewards, public recognition, promotion of winning concepts to investors, certificates, and plaques.
Dr. Chukukeluo Chukwuogo, the chairman of the innovation contest, argued that the primary objective is to identify, encourage, and reward innovative works in science, engineering, and technology that address and solve societal problems in Nigeria. This initiative will also contribute to the development of the Nigerian economy.
He further explained that the contest will promote innovative works in various disciplines of engineering, such as information communications technology/telecommunications, agriculture and food processing, energy and energy transition, renewables, infrastructure development, health and health management, waste management and environmental protection, transportation, mining and mineral processing, artificial intelligence and robotics, climate change and related ecological challenges, and manufacturing.
Bayo Adeola, the technical secretary of NAEng, expressed the association’s intention to make the contest an annual event. He added that submissions will be in two stages, starting with the submission of concept notes of innovations over a six-week period, ending on November 27 this year.
Adeola stated, “The concept note should provide a brief description of the innovation, the specific problems it addresses or solves, the societal and economic benefits, the engineering processes it covers, the development stage of the prototype, and any illustrations that aid the understanding of the innovation, as well as the profile of the individual or group.”
He also mentioned that only participants shortlisted from stage one will proceed to stage two, where they will be given three months to further develop their innovations. Details for stage two submissions will be provided at the end of stage one, and this stage will run from January to March 2024.
The winners of the competition will be announced in mid-2024.
Christiana Adelowo, the honorary secretary of NAEng, emphasized that the concepts will be screened to assess the degree of innovation, engineering content, originality, and impact on national development.
