The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Lagos State Chapter, has officially announced the fifth edition of the Salako Maven Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Prize (SMARP) in partnership with the Salako Maven Foundation. Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, the foundation’s Director-General, Mr Tunde Ogunremi, highlighted the programme’s mission to accelerate youth-driven innovation and job creation within the country’s tech ecosystem.
The structural and economic consequence of this initiative is the systematic identification and scaling of emerging entrepreneurs specializing in high-growth fields. By focusing on AI and robotics, the SMARP programme aims to expand Nigeria’s pool of technology-driven business owners, providing a structured pathway for students and tech-hub participants to transition their conceptual projects into viable, market-ready solutions.
Analytically, the impact on “Commercialisation and Global Tech Competitiveness” underscores a proactive shift in Nigeria’s digital strategy. Ogunremi asserted that the nation cannot afford to lag behind in emerging technologies. The competition is specifically designed to empower young innovators to become “job creators” rather than job seekers, fostering the development of solutions that can be successfully commercialised to support the broader economy.
The impact on “Mentorship and Innovation Scaling” offers a long-term benefit beyond the initial competition. While winners will receive cash prizes and plaques, the programme also includes physical project presentations and post-competition mentorship. This support is intended to help participants refine their business models and technical ideas, ensuring that shortlisted innovations gain the necessary exposure and guidance to contribute to Nigeria’s digital landscape.
Furthermore, the Director-General urged innovators across the country to leverage this platform as a springboard for their ideas. Interested participants are required to submit detailed project documentation, after which shortlisted candidates will be invited for in-person engagements to showcase their work to a wider audience of stakeholders and potential investors.
The long-term outlook for the SMARP initiative depends on the ability of these young “vanguards” to secure the necessary funding and infrastructure to sustain their projects. As the 2026 tech calendar progresses, the success of this fifth edition will be measured by the number of participating projects that successfully enter the Nigerian market as functional, employment-generating enterprises.
