Policy experts, development partners, and industry leaders have renewed calls for increased government support for young innovators.
They spoke at an empowerment programme by NerdzFactory Company, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Mastercard Foundation.
The firm empowered young innovators by providing grants and capacity-building training to help scale their innovative solutions.
The event, held in Lagos, had the theme: “Youth Innovation as a Driver of State Development.”
Founding Partner at NerdzFactory Company, Ade Olowojoba, said the Young Africa Innovates (YAI) Programme is a flagship initiative supported by UNDP and the Mastercard Foundation to discover, support, and scale youth-led innovations that address pressing development challenges in the country.
Olowojoba said the showcase highlights youth-driven solutions aligned with Lagos State’s development priorities and demonstrates how the programme is enabling scalable, high-impact innovation.
“Mastercard Foundation is sponsoring the programme, UNDP will oversee its implementation, and NerdzFactory will provide training for the innovators,” he said.
The UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, praised the creativity and resilience of young Nigerians and urged governments at all levels to create policies that nurture grassroots innovation.
According to her, the showcase proves that breakthrough solutions can emerge from unconventional spaces such as local markets and small workshops.
“Young people are creating tools that address food losses, designing data-driven systems, and producing world-class ideas with minimal resources. Talent in Nigeria can come from anywhere,” she said.
Attafuah added that the YAI programme has helped entrepreneurs refine prototypes, validate business ideas, and connect with potential markets.
Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, said Lagos remains the hub of Nigeria’s innovation economy.
She noted that the state has deliberately invested in digital infrastructure, startup clusters, and policies that enable young entrepreneurs to thrive.
“Innovation is a public good that improves quality of life. Young people do not lack ideas; they need platforms, systems that are fair, accessible, and supportive,” she said.
The Commissioner revealed that Lagos received more than 9,000 applications for the YAI programme, from which 205 innovators were selected.
“The state will continue reducing regulatory barriers and expanding opportunities for startups,” she added.
Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Technical Assistant Akorede Adeboye outlined ongoing initiatives to support agricultural innovation in the state.
He cited the Lagos Agro-Innovation Club, the Agripreneur Project (LAP), and the Agrithon grant competitions, which have collectively trained over 5,000 young people and funded dozens of agritech solutions.
“These programmes are designed to grow agribusinesses, create jobs, and build a community of youths solving food security challenges,” he said.
During a panel session moderated by Adefunke Adewale, founders and innovation leaders discussed challenges facing small businesses, the importance of business intelligence, and the role of mentorship in scaling enterprises.
Product Owner and Head of Operations at the SME management platform Pearmonie, Nkiruka Achakpo, shared how digital business intelligence tools helped revive failing microenterprises.
She noted that young entrepreneurs struggle with inflation, inadequate infrastructure, and limited government grants.
“Even basic support like electricity would significantly reduce the burden on SMEs. Nigerian youths have unmatched drive, but they need encouragement,” she said.
Read Also: OAU undergraduate Rashidat Fagbenle wins US-Nigeria video talent contest
Co-President of Ashoka Africa, Angelou Ezeilo, said Nigeria trails counterparts such as Kenya and South Africa in fintech and entrepreneurship indicators largely because of poor infrastructure and limited government support.
“Young innovators operate in the gaps in areas such as health, climate, gender, and economic inclusion, but they do not have the support they need. They need capital, mentorship, networks, and an enabling environment,” she said.
Ezeilo called for urgent reforms in digital infrastructure, power supply, transportation, and education, stressing that change-making skills must be integrated into school curricula.
Chief Executive Officer of the edtech startup Dataleum, Bode Roberts, advocated for a state-level open innovation and data access policy to help startups collaborate with government agencies and access real-world problems they can solve.
“You cannot grow what you do not know. Data access will help build stronger capabilities and attract long-term investments,” he said.
Chief Executive Officer of Regxta Global Services, Rukayat Bello, appealed for more government focus on entrepreneurs at the bottom of the economic pyramid.
“Government must look at the grassroots, provide grants, and organise tech events for people in low-income communities,” she said.