FG Awards N47 Million in Grants to 32 Innovators Across Nigeria

Chief Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, highlighted that over 600 innovators and inventors have benefited from the PSCII programme since its inception in 2005.

Abuja – The Federal Government has disbursed a total of N47 million in grants to 32 innovators from various regions of the country.

This initiative, conducted through the Presidential Standing Committee on Innovations and Inventions (PSCII) Programme, aims to support technological ideas with the potential to positively impact Nigeria’s economy and society.

The Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, in a statement released on Wednesday via X (formerly Twitter), confirmed that each beneficiary received grants ranging from N1 million to N5 million.

Chief Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, highlighted that over 600 innovators and inventors have benefited from the PSCII programme since its inception in 2005.

He emphasized that all financial support provided through the programme is governed by strict operational guidelines and Terms of Reference to ensure a transparent and structured process.

Speaking at the grant award event in Abuja, Nnaji, represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Esuabana Nko-Asanye, announced efforts to increase the programme’s budgetary allocation. He also noted ongoing collaborations with key stakeholders, including the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), and the National Universities Commission (NUC), among others, to bolster the programme’s impact.

“The PSCII programme is not only laying the groundwork for technological breakthroughs in the country but also improving the socio-economic well-being of Nigerians,” Nnaji said. He further reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to partnering with the private sector to drive the programme’s success.

Nnaji urged the grant recipients to utilize the funds prudently, emphasizing the importance of their contributions in addressing unemployment and poverty, and ultimately enhancing the prosperity of the nation.

The PSCII programme, which targets innovators particularly within the informal sector, continues to play a critical role in fostering job creation, wealth generation, and overall socio-economic development in Nigeria.