Through the NASENI and AfriLabs-backed InnovateNaija Challenge, seven women showcased their technological innovations on the national stage, with one emerging as the overall winner. Their achievements highlight what Nigerian women can accomplish when provided with the right platform, support, and opportunities to develop their ideas.
For years, discussions about Nigeria’s technology ecosystem have focused on industry growth, the expansion of startups, and young innovators developing solutions for the future. However, another important aspect of this story deserves recognition: the women contributing to the country’s technological advancement.
Seven women emerged among the 15 finalists of the InnovateNaija Challenge, a national technology and innovation competition organised by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) in partnership with AfriLabs and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development. Representing different states and working across various sectors, the women developed innovative products designed to address practical challenges in healthcare, agriculture, energy, environmental sustainability, and everyday life.
A Historic Victory for Agricultural Hardware
At the national pitch event held on October 6, 2026, all 15 finalists presented physical prototypes to industry experts, international investors, and policymakers. Abia State innovator Adaeze Ruth Akpagbula, co-founder of Farm Speak, emerged as the overall winner, receiving the ₦100 million grand prize for her PenKeep Smart Poultry Climate Control System.
The innovation is designed to help farmers manage climate-related challenges in poultry farming, aquaculture, greenhouse operations, and smart irrigation systems. PenKeep demonstrates how advanced technology can be applied to address fundamental agricultural challenges.
Akpagbula identified funding, infrastructure, and electricity as major obstacles facing hardware innovators in Nigeria. The ₦100 million award is expected to help expand her company’s production capacity and make the technology accessible to more farmers.
Women Driving Innovation Across Multiple Sectors
Akpagbula’s victory formed part of a broader display of female-led innovation at the competition. The seven female finalists developed solutions addressing different needs across healthcare, transportation, energy, environmental management, and agriculture.
Kemisola Bolarinwa from Ekiti State developed the Smart Bra Cup Diagnostic Device, an innovation exploring the application of technology in breast health. Her work demonstrates how engineering can address healthcare challenges that have historically received limited attention.
Elizabeth Chioma Chiketarauba of Imo State developed Torquenova, an electric vehicle and main power generator that can be recharged through an integrated solar-powered system or a mains electricity supply. The innovation combines mobility, energy generation, and renewable technology.
Rita Idehai of Edo State created an Automated Reverse Vending Machine, applying technological solutions to waste management and environmental sustainability.
Chinyere Esther Onwumelu of Nasarawa State developed a Gas-Level Monitoring and Community Gas Metering System, designed to address issues relating to energy access and accountability.
Khadija Adamu Dandada of Kano State developed the Shepall App, demonstrating how digital solutions can be used to address practical everyday needs.
Miriam Ashiemar Agbo of Benue State created the Anatsor Integrated Poultry Management System, applying technology to improve agricultural productivity and livestock management.
Meanwhile, Adaeze Ruth Akpagbula of Abia State developed PenKeep, a smart poultry climate control solution that ultimately secured her the competition’s top prize.
A Technology Story That Includes Women
The achievements of these innovators extend beyond the competition. Nigeria’s technology sector needs people who can identify problems, develop practical solutions, and turn ideas into tangible products.
The participation and success of female innovators at the InnovateNaija Challenge demonstrate that Nigerian women are already making meaningful contributions to technological development and high-impact innovation.
These finalists are engineers, inventors, developers, and problem-solvers whose innovations span different sectors, states, and applications. What unites them is not only the challenges they seek to address but also their ability to develop solutions themselves.
Creating Opportunities for the Next Generation of Women Innovators
Initiatives such as InnovateNaija play an important role in providing opportunities for grassroots innovators to develop and showcase their work. Led by NASENI in partnership with AfriLabs and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the challenge provided a national platform for innovators to present their solutions and gain access to funding, technical expertise, manufacturing support, and opportunities for expansion.
In addition to the ₦100 million grand prize, the competition offered grants of ₦30 million and ₦20 million to the runners-up. All 15 finalists also gained long-term access to advanced manufacturing tools and infrastructure across NASENI’s nationwide technology institutes.
Beyond the financial rewards and technical support, the achievement of Adaeze Akpagbula and the contributions of her fellow female finalists offer an important source of inspiration for young Nigerian girls.
Their experiences demonstrate that young women with innovative ideas do not have to wait for others to shape the future of technology. With the right opportunities, they can develop their own solutions, build impactful products, and compete successfully on the national stage.
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