Call for Applications: Nigeria’s Next AI Talent Competition 2026

Are you building an AI solution, innovation, project, prototype, or transformational idea that could solve real-world problems? This is your opportunity to showcase your work, connect with industry leaders, pitch your idea, and compete for ₦1,000,000 in cash prizes.

The Nigeria’s Next AI Talent Competition 2026 is designed to discover, recognize, and celebrate emerging AI talent and innovative solutions across Nigeria.

Prizes

• Winner: ₦500,000
• 1st Runner-up: ₦300,000
• 2nd Runner-up: ₦200,000

Who Can Apply?

The competition is open to students, graduates, researchers, entrepreneurs, startup founders, tech professionals, AI enthusiasts, and NYSC members across Nigeria.

Whether you are an individual innovator, student developer, researcher, entrepreneur, or part of a startup or team, you are encouraged to showcase your AI-driven work.

What Can You Submit?

Applicants can submit a wide range of AI-powered applications, platforms, products, prototypes, chatbots, tools, and innovative solutions designed to address real-world challenges.

Projects may focus on areas such as:

• Finance and FinTech
• Education and EdTech
• Healthcare
• Agriculture and AgriTech
• Sustainability and climate solutions
• Cybersecurity
• Business and productivity
• Public services
• Digital transformation
• Other innovative applications of Artificial Intelligence

Whether you have a working prototype, developed product, research project, AI application, or promising transformational idea, this competition provides an opportunity to put your innovation in the spotlight.

Live Pitching

Shortlisted participants will have the opportunity to present and pitch their solutions to industry leaders and judges, highlighting the problem they are solving, their AI approach, potential impact, and opportunities for growth.