USPF Changemaker Challenge 2026 for Nigerian Innovators & Startups ( N10m Cash Prize Pool)

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Applications are open for USPF Changemaker Challenge 2026. The USPF Changemaker Challenge invites innovation teams and early-stage startups across all 36 states and the FCT to build practical ICT solutions for one of five Challenge Sectors. Your solution should show who it helps, the problem it addresses and how it can work in a real community.

The USPF Changemaker Challenge is a national innovation programme by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), designed to discover and support homegrown ICT solutions addressing real challenges in Nigeria’s unserved and underserved communities. The challenge invites innovators, teams and early-stage startups from across Nigeria to develop practical solutions in five priority sectors: Agriculture, Education, Healthcare, Financial Inclusion, and Clean and Affordable Energy.

Through a nationwide selection process, promising teams will demonstrate how their solutions address identified development problems and finalists will receive structured incubation, including mentorship, technical support, business development. The programme also aims to build a national pipeline of ICT innovations that can inform future digital inclusion initiatives, partnerships and opportunities for technology adoption.

USPF Changemaker Challenge Sectors

What problem will you solve?

Each of the five Challenge Sectors has one problem statement. Open a sector to read its problem context, challenge question and illustrative angles before you apply.

Agriculture
- Help farmers and agricultural businesses access the information, services and tools they need to improve livelihoods.
Education
- Make learning more accessible and consistent for children, young people and educators in underserved communities.
Healthcare
- Improve how underserved communities access reliable health information, essential services and ongoing care.
Clean & Affordable Energy
- Help underserved households, businesses and community services identify, afford and use clean energy reliably.
Financial Inclusion
- Help individuals and small businesses use safe, affordable financial services and manage everyday financial needs.

Prizes and Benefits

The top three national teams win cash prizes. All six National Demo Day finalists receive 4-week structured incubation and venture support, and every participating team keeps 100% ownership of its intellectual property.

FIRST PRIZE
- ₦5,000,000
- Direct cash prize for the national winner, plus 4-week incubation and venture support.
SECOND PRIZE
- ₦3,000,000
- Direct cash prize for the second national winner, plus 4-week incubation and venture support.
THIRD PRIZE
- ₦2,000,000
- Direct cash prize for the third national winner, plus 4-week incubation and venture support.

Eligibility Criteria

The challenge is open to innovation teams and early-stage startups across Nigeria. Check the requirements before you apply.

Team size
- Apply as a team of 2 to 5 members.
Age
- Every team member must be 18 years or older. There is no upper age limit.
Residence
- Nigerian citizens or legal residents living in Nigeria.
Applicant type
- Innovation teams and early-stage startups. Business registration is not required.
Your solution
- An ICT-led idea, prototype, MVP or working system that responds to one of the five problem statements.
Availability
- Available for the virtual Regional Demo Days and the National Demo Day if shortlisted.

How To Apply for USPF Changemaker Challenge

Read the problem statement for your chosen Challenge Sector before you start your application. Applications are submitted online through InnoX.

Choose a Challenge Sector
- Explore the five Challenge Sectors and pick the one closest to your team’s work.
Study the problem statement
- Read the problem context, challenge question and illustrative angles for your chosen sector.
Create your InnoX account
- Select Apply Now and register your team on the InnoX application platform.
Describe your solution
- Explain the problem you are solving, who it affects, how your ICT solution works and who is on your team.
Review and submit
- Upload supporting documents and submit before 15 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. WAT.
Join an information session (optional)
- Bring your questions to a live information session, or read the FAQs below. Session dates to be confirmed.

Click Here Too Apply and for More Details

Application Deadline: Sunday, 15 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. WAT