Nigeria is taking an exciting leap forward in nurturing young talent with the launch of the NASENI FutureMakers Initiative, a transformative programme that promises to unlock the innovative potential of thousands of children across the nation.

Unveiled on Wednesday by Khalil Suleiman Halilu, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, this inspiring initiative targets young innovators between the ages of five and sixteen. The programme represents a significant investment in Nigeria's future, positioning the country to become a global technological powerhouse by empowering its youngest citizens today.

"Early exposure creates lifelong innovators, and Nigeria is joining that league through FutureMakers by NASENI," Halilu announced during the launch, his words reflecting the optimism and forward-thinking vision behind the initiative. Drawing inspiration from successful international models like the United States' FIRST Robotics and India's Atal Innovation Mission, the programme is designed to transform Nigerian children from technology consumers into confident creators and innovators.

What makes this initiative particularly special is its commitment to inclusivity and nationwide reach. NASENI's development institutes across all six geopolitical zones will serve as innovation hubs, ensuring that talented young minds from every corner of Nigeria have equal access to prototyping tools, expert mentorship, and hands-on learning experiences. This geographical diversity means that a child's zip code won't determine their access to opportunity.

The programme offers much more than theoretical learning. Participants will engage in practical, hands-on training in engineering fundamentals, robotics, and design thinking—skills that extend far beyond traditional classroom education. Through this experiential approach, children will develop the confidence and competence needed to tackle real-world challenges.

Anas Balarabe Yazid, Special Adviser on Commercialisation and Efficiency, beautifully captured the programme's deeper mission: "It is about 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 realised they can build things and solve real problems."

The excitement will build throughout the programme with zonal hackathons culminating in a national finale scheduled for February 2026. Top performers will receive remarkable prizes, including scholarships to leading Nigerian universities and international study tours that will expose them to global tech ecosystems—opportunities that could genuinely change the trajectory of young lives.

Senator Francis Ezenwa Onyewuchi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on NASENI, issued an inspiring call to action: "Let us renew our collective commitment to building a nation where creativity is elevated, ideas are supported, and the potential of every child is allowed to thrive. Innovation begins the moment a child is empowered to imagine."

This initiative represents more than just a programme—it's a promise to Nigeria's children that their ideas matter, their creativity is valued, and their potential is limitless. By investing in young minds today, Nigeria is securing its innovation future for the next three to five decades, creating a virtuous cycle where today's curious child becomes tomorrow's problem-solver and nation-builder.