The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has opened applications for the fourth edition of its flagship NSIA Prize for Innovation (NPI 4.0), offering a combined prize pool of $275,000 and access to up to $1.5 million in growth funding for high-potential startups.
The fully funded entrepreneurship programme, themed “Building for Impact,” is designed to identify and support innovative Nigerian startups through funding, mentorship, capacity building and strategic partnerships.
According to a statement by NSIA’s spokesperson, Joyce Onyegbula, the initiative has evolved into one of Nigeria’s leading entrepreneurship development platforms, attracting more than 20,000 applications across its first three editions from startups operating in sectors including fintech, agritech, healthtech, edtech, transport and logistics.
She said the programme has recorded participation from all six geopolitical zones, reflecting the growing strength of Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem and the commitment of entrepreneurs to developing solutions that drive economic growth, create jobs and promote sustainable development.
For the 2026 edition, Onyegbula said NPI 4.0 will focus on startups operating in manufacturing, climate and food security, and healthcare, in line with NSIA’s commitment to supporting sectors critical to Nigeria’s economic transformation.
She noted that this year’s edition introduces expanded opportunities through strategic partnerships, with a total prize value of $275,000, comprising $220,000 from NSIA, $45,000 from Cascador and $10,000 from Wema Bank.
Beyond the cash prizes, participants will benefit from mentorship, business development support, investor access and strategic networking opportunities aimed at helping startups scale their innovations into sustainable businesses.
A major highlight of NPI 4.0 is the opportunity for winners to access up to $1.5 million in funding through the Pula Xcelerator, providing growth capital to expand operations and increase impact.
Successful startups will also have the opportunity to compete at the Wema Bank Hackaholics Grand Finale, where they can vie for a share of ₦100 million in equity-free grants while gaining additional exposure to investors and strategic partners.
In addition, winners will participate in a fully funded executive programme at the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), Lagos, where they will receive training in business strategy, corporate governance, financial management, leadership, market expansion and investor readiness.
Commenting on the initiative, NSIA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Aminu Umar-Sadiq, said the programme continues to create opportunities for Nigerian entrepreneurs developing innovative solutions to pressing national challenges.
He noted that the enhancements introduced in NPI 4.0 underscore the Authority’s commitment to equipping founders with the funding, training and strategic partnerships needed to build globally competitive businesses.
Also speaking, Cascador Executive Director, Trish Thomas, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting high-impact Nigerian ventures, announcing $45,000 in non-dilutive funding through the Cascador Prize for Impact.
Reflecting on the programme’s achievements, Umar-Sadiq said previous editions have supported startups across sectors such as financial inclusion, agriculture, education, technology and sustainable development through funding, technical assistance and mentorship.
He encouraged founders operating within the manufacturing, climate and food security, and healthcare sectors to apply, describing NPI 4.0 as more than a competition; rather, it is a comprehensive platform for business growth.
According to him, the programme combines grant funding, world-class entrepreneurial training, mentorship, investor exposure and access to additional financing, providing founders with the support required to transform innovative ideas into market-leading enterprises.
