From Campus Innovation to the Global Stage: How a Shared Opportunity Led Me to Represent Nigeria at the Next Gen Innovation Challenge in London
When we talk about the power of innovation ecosystems, we often imagine incubators, accelerators, and startup hubs. But sometimes, transformation begins with something as simple as a shared opportunity.
For me, that defining moment came on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, when Mr. Kukoyi from the UNILAG Tech Skills Marketplace shared with me the application link for the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2025, an initiative of the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), a Federal Government agency under the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science & Technology, in partnership with UKALD Group. At first, I hesitated. Like many startup founders, I had seen numerous application calls that led nowhere. But because this one came from a trusted source within my innovation ecosystem, I decided to give it a closer look. When I opened the portal and discovered that the finalists would showcase their innovations at the Grand Finale in London, I knew this was an opportunity I couldn’t ignore. As someone who values global exposure and meaningful networks, I was determined to give it my best.
The Application Process
The application process was smooth, largely because I perfectly understood my product, StudyApp, an education-support mobile application developed by Waltersam Technologies to tackle inadequate teaching facilities and overcrowded classrooms in tertiary institutions. As the founder and lead innovator, I knew the product’s every detail, from its core problem statement to the technology powering it. This made answering most of the application questions seamless. The more technical sections required thoughtful responses, but my close collaboration with our engineering team and my growing technical understanding helped me provide the right answers confidently. A few weeks later, an email arrived confirming that I had been selected for the National Stage in Abuja, out of more than 3,000 applications nationwide. Only two to three innovators per state, including the FCT, were chosen. Representing Lagos State filled me with pride and renewed purpose.
The National Stage in Abuja
The National Stage, held on July 9, 2025, at the NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja, was electrifying. Innovators from across Nigeria gathered to showcase their groundbreaking ideas. I was proud to stand as the only innovator from Lagos State, pitching StudyApp before a distinguished audience of investors, policymakers, and innovation leaders. Pitching came naturally to me. In 2021, I had emerged as the winner of the University of Lagos Business Innovation & Talent Expression Competition, and since then, I have coached and mentored other student entrepreneurs on effective pitching. My experience proved valuable once again, the audience responded with applause at intervals, a reassuring sign that my message resonated. Afterward, several officials and investors approached me for contact details, confirming that StudyApp had left a strong impression.
From Abuja to London
When the message arrived that I had qualified for the Grand Finale in London, I was beyond excited. I was the only innovator from Lagos State, Nigeria, to reach the global stage, a reflection of persistence and preparation.
However, the journey was not without challenges. From visa processing to last-minute logistics, everything tested my resolve. One unforgettable moment was at the airport, standing in the queue at the check-in counter without a confirmed flight ticket. Yet, I held onto optimism and within minutes, my ticket was confirmed and booked, just five minutes before the counter closed. I was the last passenger to check in, a powerful reminder that determination often opens doors at the final moment.
At the Global Stage in London
The Grand Finale took place on October 9, 2025, followed by the Executive Business Dinner on October 10 at the Hilton London Paddington, United Kingdom. Representing Nigeria among global innovators was an honor beyond words.
I showcased StudyApp using a branded roll-up stand highlighting the app’s features and impact. Throughout the event, I connected with startup founders, academics, investors, and government representatives from the UK and other nations. The experience reinforced a vital lesson: funding goes beyond a great idea. You must launch, gain traction, and collect user feedback before investors take you seriously.
To every young innovator, I say this your great idea alone is not enough. There is no perfect product. Launch, learn, iterate, and improve continuously. Impact is born out of execution, not imagination.
Lessons and Reflections
My journey from Mushin, Lagos, to London through the UNILAG Tech Skills Marketplace Programme taught me that the path to success is rarely linear. It is filled with challenges, delays, and moments of doubt, more like a helix than a straight line. But with the right mindset, resilience, and optimism, every obstacle becomes a stepping stone.
To all young founders:
Believe in your ideas. Prepare for challenges. And never underestimate the power of your network. Sometimes, all it takes is one link, one message, or one person who believes in you just like the day Mr. Kukoyi shared that link with me on June 4, 2025.
Today, I am deeply grateful not just for the opportunity to represent Nigeria on a global stage, but for the ecosystem that made it possible. UNILAG Tech Skills Marketplace, AFRETEC, NBTI, and UKALD Group are building pathways for young innovators to grow from campus innovation to global transformation.
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