USPF Changemaker Challenge 2026

About

The program invites teams of two to five Nigerian citizens or legal residents aged 18 or older to submit ICT-led ideas, prototypes, MVPs or working systems addressing one of five sectors for a share of ₦10 million in cash prizes and incubation support for six finalists.

Benefits

• 🏆First prize
  ₦5,000,000 direct cash prize for the national winner, plus 4-week incubation and venture support
• 🥈Second prize
  ₦3,000,000 direct cash prize for the second national winner, plus 4-week incubation and venture support
• 🥉Third prize
  ₦2,000,000 direct cash prize for the third national winner, plus 4-week incubation and venture support
• 🚀Incubation
  All six National Demo Day finalists receive 4 weeks of structured incubation and venture support
• 🔒IP ownership
  Every participating team retains 100% ownership of its intellectual property.

Eligibility Criteria

• Mandatory: apply as a team of 2 to 5 members
• Every team member must be 18 years or older, with no upper age limit
• Team members must be Nigerian citizens or legal residents living in Nigeria
• Applicants may be innovation teams or early-stage startups; business registration is not required
• The solution must be an ICT-led idea, prototype, MVP or working system responding to one of the five problem statements
• If shortlisted, the team must be available for the virtual Regional Demo Days and the National Demo Day in Abuja.

Participation Commitments

• Applications must be submitted online through the InnoX platform
• Applicants choose a Challenge Sector, study its problem statement, describe the solution and upload requested supporting documents before the deadline
• Applications open on 2 November 2026 and close on 15 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. WAT
• If shortlisted, teams must be available for the virtual Regional Demo Days and the National Demo Day in Abuja
• The process includes six virtual Regional Demo Days, a National Demo Day in Abuja and a 4-week incubation for the six finalists.

Target Sector

Agriculture & Food, Education, Energy & Utilities, Financial Services, Healthcare & Life Sciences

Target Location

Applicants must be Nigerian citizens or legal residents living in Nigeria; teams may apply from across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.