The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Nigeria Office supported The Destiny Trust’s flagship youth innovation program Kids Innovation Challenge 2026 as part of efforts to equip young people with the knowledge and skills to develop solutions to real-world challenges.
The initiative delivered through The Destiny Trust’s Kids Innovation Hub, supports young people aged 10 to 17 from public schools, low-fee private schools and young school-leavers. Participants developed practical responses to challenges in quality education, safe schools and communities, climate resilience and food security, artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies, as well as the digital and creative economy.
From bootcamp to Grand Finale
The Kids Innovation Challenge 2026 program brought together 10 finalist teams for the final stages. They began with a two-day Inception Bootcamp at Oracle Headquarters in Lagos on September 10 and 11, which combined technical and innovation development with sessions on AI and emerging technologies, technology for social good, Intellectual Property (IP) and commercialization, and pitching and storytelling. Mentor clinics gave the teams feedback on their ideas, prototypes and presentations.
The teams presented their innovations at the Grand Finale on September 12 at the Landmark Event Centre in Victoria Island, before more than 1,500 attendees.
Oluwatobiloba Moody, Director of the WIPO Nigeria Office, served on the judging panel and engaged with the teams during the assessment. Commenting on the initiative, he welcomed programs that give young people practical opportunities to identify problems, develop solutions and learn how to take their ideas forward.
Winning Innovations
- Overall winner: Government Technical College, Ikotun developed Smarteach, a portable, solar-powered education robot that acts as an intelligent teaching assistant in rural and off-grid communities.
- First runner-up: Lagos State Model College, Meiran developed Smartfarm, an integrated system that uses automated and embedded sensors to improve food production.
- Second runner-up: Naija Mascot developed AI-powered smart glasses to support blind and visually impaired students in learning.
Support beyond the competition
The challenge will continue beyond the competition through a post-Challenge incubation program for the 10 finalist teams, providing mentorship, prototype guidance, innovation development support and further learning opportunities.
The mentoring cycle includes a dedicated focus on IP, commercialization and sustainability, helping teams protect and take forward the solutions they are refining.
WIPO Nigeria continues to support initiatives that encourage young people to explore innovation, understand the value of IP and build the confidence and skills to move ideas from concept to impact.
