Nigeria’s youth population has become central to debates about the nation’s future, with more than half of its citizens under 35 and the country’s development prospects closely tied to what happens to this generation. Despite Nigeria’s demographic advantage, many young people remain trapped in unemployment and underemployment, and the gap between classroom learning and industry needs continues to limit opportunities for meaningful work. It is within this reality that the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure has grown into a frontline government institution shaping innovation, entrepreneurship, and technical competency for the next generation.
Through programmes like Innovate Naija, DELT-HER for women in technology, and the network of Skill Acquisition Centres, the agency positions itself not just as an institution but as a catalyst for youth productivity. These interventions reflect a quiet but clear shift toward practical, hands-on innovation, one that not only trains young Nigerians but also connects them to real economic opportunities.
The agency’s recent “Abuja’s Biggest Founders’ Mixer” offered a glimpse into this new direction. The gathering of founders, investors, and ecosystem enablers turned its headquarters into a hub for collaboration, product developmen,t and market-driven thinking. Officials at the event said the agency was determined to reshape the country’s innovation space by pairing technical creativity with business strategy. Youths were urged to develop solutions with commercial potential and to see the agency as a partner rather than a distant institution.
During the event, the agency’s Innovation Hub outlined a suite of active and upcoming interventions targeting innovators from ideation through commercialization. With programmes like InnoGov, DELTHER, DELTA-2, and Innovate Naija already running, new rollouts like Future Makers, NASENI Xceler8, the Reverse Japa Programme, and a fresh incubation scheme were introduced. The hub explained that these pipelines are structured to support innovators end-to-end, from concept to market-ready enterprise.
The startup community responded warmly. Young founders described the platform as transformative and welcomed the opportunity to engage with a government institution in a less formal, more accessible setting. Those interactions signalled a gradual shift from bureaucracy to collaboration, where young creators can find support rather than hurdles.
Beyond headlines and competitions, the agency’s Skill Acquisition Centres represent one of its most direct tools for reducing unemployment. These centres equip young Nigerians with vocational and technical capacity needed in industries ranging from fabrication to renewable energy, providing hands-on knowledge that translates into work or entrepreneurship. For small businesses and MSMEs, a more technically skilled workforce could fill talent gaps, strengthen local production capacity and reduce dependence on imported expertise.
The agency’s efforts are far from complete, but they highlight a growing recognition that Nigeria cannot afford to waste its youth asset. With more innovation programmes emerging and training hubs taking shape across states, the long-term question is whether these investments will scale into measurable job creation and homegrown industries. If sustained, the agency’s framework could help young Nigerians move beyond survival toward building the technologies and enterprises that will define the country’s economic future.
