In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at advancing entrepreneurship and sustainable innovation among young Nigerians, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Education Secretariat, in collaboration with Brunel University, London, has launched the Abuja Innovation Challenge.
Speaking during the training of teachers on entrepreneurship education, the Director/ Secretary, FCT Secondary Education Board (SEB), Dr Sani Mohammed Ladan, said the Challenge is part of a wider programme designed to nurture creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills among secondary school students in the Territory while building a better and prosperous capital city.
Dr Ladan explained that the theme of the Challenge which is ‘Building a Better Abuja for Everyone: A Safer, Fairer, Greener, and More Prosperous City’, will further help to engage students in identifying real-life community problems and developing viable, technology-driven business solutions to fix them.
He noted that with Nigeria facing complex developmental challenges such as environmental degradation and poor infrastructure, the programme will highlight the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and sustainability in shaping accessible, affordable solutions for the country’s growing population.
The Director/Secretary emphasized the need to continuously advocate for entrepreneurship opportunities and create spaces where students can thrive with their skills, describing the Challenge as one that has given the FCT Education Secretariat a competitive edge.
Dr Ladan stressed that it represents a sustainable investment in the lives of the students and would help them make progress even after their secondary school education, describing it as “a lifetime opportunity.”
Explaining the process, Dr Ladan said 25 schools across FCT are participating in the first-of-its-kind initiative with each school selecting five students, supported by teacher-mentors, to develop community-focused projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He highlighted the key areas of focus as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, urban infrastructure, and tourism.
Expressing delight at the Abuja Innovation Challenge, the Director, FCT Department of Science Technology and Innovation, Mr Kolawole Olobashola said with the pioneering initiative, schools under the Education Secretariat will continue to be ahead of others as a new learning involving practical process and experience have been inculcated in them for sustainability.
Also speaking, Coordinator of the programme,Mr. Musa Nuhu Zuru, said the initiative, championed by the Director/Secretary, SEB, is a major milestone in promoting student-led innovation.
He said it showcases the role of international partnerships in transforming education and entrepreneurship in Nigeria.
According to him, the Abuja Innovation Challenge is a strategic step “to catch them young while confidently preparing them for the future.”
The Challenge programme, which began in February, 2025 with six online workshops and mentorship opportunities, will feature a Demo Day on May 5 and end with an awards ceremony on May 12, where standout projects will be recognized and offered future development opportunities.
