LAGOS, NIGERIA — Advanxis Technologies has announced the third edition of the National Automation Prize 2026, offering a total prize pool of ₦52.5 million to Nigerian innovators who develop cutting-edge automation solutions that address real-world challenges.
The competition, which is open to individuals, teams, and organisations across Nigeria, is designed to promote innovation in automation and to encourage the development of technologies that can improve efficiency, productivity, and quality of life in various sectors of the economy. The announcement was made on Tuesday at a press conference in Lagos, where the organisers outlined the objectives, categories, and criteria for the 2026 edition.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Advanxis Technologies, Mr. Emeka Okafor, said the National Automation Prize was established to identify and reward Nigerian innovators who are using technology to solve local problems. He noted that automation was transforming industries globally, and that Nigeria needed to harness its potential to drive economic growth and competitiveness.
“The National Automation Prize is our contribution to the development of Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem. We believe that there is immense talent in this country, and we want to provide a platform that will enable innovators to showcase their solutions and to attract the support they need to scale,” Okafor stated.
He announced that the total prize pool for the 2026 edition had been increased to ₦52.5 million, up from ₦40 million in the previous edition. The grand prize winner will receive ₦20 million, while the first and second runners-up will receive ₦12 million and ₦8 million respectively. Additional prizes will be awarded in specific categories, including agriculture, healthcare, education, manufacturing, and financial services.
“The increase in the prize pool reflects our commitment to supporting innovation and to rewarding excellence. We want to encourage more Nigerians to participate and to showcase the best of Nigerian ingenuity,” Okafor said.
He explained that entries would be judged based on innovation, impact, scalability, sustainability, and technical feasibility. A panel of experts drawn from academia, industry, and the technology sector will evaluate the entries and select the winners.
“The judging criteria are rigorous. We are looking for solutions that are not only innovative but also practical and scalable. The winners will be those who demonstrate the greatest potential to make a positive impact on society,” he said.
The competition will be conducted in three phases: the application phase, the bootcamp phase, and the grand finale. Successful applicants will be invited to a bootcamp where they will receive mentorship and training from industry experts. The finalists will then pitch their solutions to a panel of judges at the grand finale, which is scheduled to hold in December 2026.
Okafor also announced that Advanxis Technologies would be partnering with universities, innovation hubs, and development organisations to promote the competition and to provide support to participants. He urged Nigerian innovators to take advantage of the opportunity and to submit their entries before the deadline.
“We are calling on all Nigerian innovators to participate in this competition. This is your opportunity to showcase your talent, to win exciting prizes, and to contribute to the development of our country. We are excited to see what you will come up with,” he said.
The National Automation Prize has become one of Nigeria’s most prestigious innovation competitions, attracting hundreds of entries from across the country. Previous winners have gone on to secure funding, partnerships, and market opportunities for their solutions. For now, Advanxis Technologies is inviting all eligible Nigerians to apply and to be part of the third edition of the competition.
