The Prof. Bart Nnaji Foundation has launched the Bart Nnaji Innovation Challenge, offering a grand prize of N10 million to individuals or teams who can design a safe, practical method of harvesting palm wine without climbing trees.
The competition, which is now open for entries, is targeted at innovators, engineers, builders, and creative thinkers across Nigeria who can combine practical problem-solving with real-world impact.
Palm wine harvesting has long been associated with significant safety risks, as tappers are required to scale tall palm trees using rudimentary methods, a practice that has led to severe injuries and fatalities across palm-producing communities in Nigeria and across Africa.
The foundation is inviting applicants to engineer a solution that eliminates the need for tree climbing entirely, while maintaining the efficiency and quality of the harvesting process.
Beyond the N10 million grand prize, the top three finalists will receive prototype development funding support to help bring their concepts to life, as well as travel support to attend the pitch defence session where their ideas will be evaluated.
The competition is open to individuals and teams, with no indication of restrictions by age, profession, or educational background, signalling a broad invitation to Nigeria’s growing community of innovators and problem-solvers.
The deadline for registration is May 27, 2026. Interested applicants can register at www.bartnnaji.com/competition.
Prof. Bart Nnaji, a former Minister of Power and one of Nigeria’s most prominent engineers and academics, has been a consistent advocate for technology-driven solutions to Nigeria’s development challenges. The foundation bearing his name continues that legacy through initiatives aimed at stimulating homegrown innovation.
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