Nigeria’s emerging generation of innovators took centre stage on Tuesday as children and youths from across the country showcased science, technology, and creative solutions at the DreamRise Fest 2026 – Young People in Tech, Science & Innovation Fair (CODE THE FUTURE™) held in Abuja, with parallel activities across participating states.
The nationwide initiative, convened by the Lola Cater Foundation, turned the Government Science Secondary School, Pyakasa Maitama, Abuja, into a dynamic innovation hub where participants aged 8 to 18 presented projects addressing challenges in health, climate change, safety, clean energy, education, waste management, and community development.
The programme, part of the broader DreamRise Fest 2026 rollout across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, is designed as one of the country’s largest platforms for child and youth innovation.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Founder and Executive Director of the Lola Cater Foundation, Ololade Ogunnubi, said the initiative aims to shift children and young people from passive learning to active innovation and problem-solving.
“Nigeria does not lack talent. What we have lacked is a structured platform that allows children and young people to build, present, and connect their ideas to institutions willing to support them. Code the Future™ is creating that national innovation bridge,” she said.
The event featured innovation zones covering robotics, coding, science experiments, engineering applications, digital creativity, artificial intelligence demonstrations, and climate-focused projects. A key highlight was the Future Builders Pitch Arena™, where selected participants presented ideas to judges, investors, and development stakeholders.
One of the most discussed projects was the development of reusable sanitary pads made from banana stems, which immediately attracted interest from stakeholders and potential partners.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Inspaya Solutions, Ademuyiwa Taofeek, expressed readiness to support the innovation, describing it as impactful and commercially viable.
“This is the kind of thinking Nigeria needs. We are ready to support these young innovators with branding, media visibility, and marketing support whenever they are ready to scale,” he said.
He also offered free access to his studio for content development and announced scholarship opportunities in coding, photography, and videography for selected participants.
Other notable innovations included smart school shoes designed to track student movement for safety, a self-built gaming system developed by a participant named Emmanuel who could not afford a PlayStation growing up, as well as projects on waste management, water purification using moringa seeds, and salt-water-powered lighting systems.
A consultant to the House Committee on Climate, Rachael Tyona, commended the participants and revealed plans to connect selected innovators to an upcoming Climate Finance Summit organised by the House of Representatives.
“Some of these young people are already thinking beyond their age. We need to intentionally connect them with investors, policymakers, and innovation ecosystems that can help them grow,” she said.
Educators, tech professionals, parents, and development partners also attended the exhibition, engaging directly with the young innovators and exploring mentorship and partnership opportunities.
Organisers announced cash prizes for winners across both the pitch and exhibition categories. The top pitch winner received support from Inspaya Solutions, while second and third place prizes were jointly sponsored by Inspaya Solutions and the Media in Tech Conference. Exhibition awards were sponsored by the Lola Cater Foundation.
Beyond competition, the event provided mentorship, networking, and exposure opportunities across technology, science, media, climate innovation, engineering, and entrepreneurship sectors.
According to organisers, selected projects may advance into mentorship, incubation, funding, and institutional partnerships under the DreamRise innovation ecosystem.
The Abuja edition formed part of a nationwide rollout coordinated simultaneously across states through local partners and volunteers.
The initiative is expected to conclude with the DreamRise Fest 2026 Grand Finale and the release of a National Children and Youth Impact Report later in May, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s long-term innovation and science development pipeline.
