Scholarship Overview
Overview
The National AI Innovation Challenge 2026 is a build-only competition designed to accelerate Nigeria’s sovereign AI capabilities through practical development on N-ATLAS (Nigerian Atlas for Languages and AI at Scale). Unlike concept-based competitions, every submission must include a functioning technical artefact integrated with N-ATLAS and tested with real users or data.
The challenge is implemented by the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) and the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), with partnership from Awarri Technologies. It targets Nigerian universities, research institutions, startups, technology companies, and independent developers.
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What is N-ATLAS?
N-ATLAS is Nigeria’s first open-source, multilingual large language model. Key capabilities include:
- Fine-tuned from Llama-3 8B
- Supports Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Nigerian-accented English
- Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) for voice-driven applications
- Open-source availability for developer integration
Three Problem Statements
Teams must select one problem statement. All require genuine N-ATLAS integration—wrapping another model disqualifies your submission.
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01 Developer Infrastructure
Build tools that make N-ATLAS easier to integrate, test, and deploy. Example solutions include Python/JavaScript SDKs, browser-based playgrounds, fine-tuning starter kits, and bilingual developer documentation.
Validation requirement: At least 2 external beta testers
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02 Voice-First Access
Create voice-driven applications for Nigerians who do not type, using N-ATLAS ASR capabilities. Delivery channels include WhatsApp voice notes, USSD-based voice, IVR systems, and low-bandwidth mobile apps. Use cases span education, agriculture, health information, civic information, and financial literacy.
Validation requirement: Minimum 50 documented real user interactions
03 Sectoral Fine-Tuning
Adapt N-ATLAS to high-impact sectors: education, primary healthcare, smallholder agriculture, legal rights, or financial literacy. Requires demonstrable improvement over base N-ATLAS and deployment through a documented API.
Validation requirement: Benchmark of 500+ examples versus base N-ATLAS
Participation Tracks
Track A: Academia & Research
- Team size: 2–5 members
- At least one enrolled student or postgraduate researcher
- Faculty supervisor required
- Institutional endorsement letter from Head of Department
- Typical builds: developer tools, benchmarks, fine-tuned models, evaluation datasets, NLP components
Track B: Innovation & Enterprise
- Team size: 2–5 members
- CAC certificate for registered organisations
- Valid ID for individual applicants
- At least 50% of team based in Nigeria (for diaspora participation)
- Typical builds: deployable applications, voice-first products, sector-specific APIs, scalable tools
Eligibility Requirements
General requirements (both tracks):
- All team members must be Nigerian citizens or registered Nigerian entities
- Submission must be original work not previously awarded in another competition
- Each team may submit to only one problem statement
- Every submission must include a functioning technical artefact integrated with N-ATLAS
- Applications and supporting materials must be in English
Not eligible: Non-Nigerian citizens or entities; previously awarded submissions; concept-only proposals without working builds; solutions not integrated with N-ATLAS.
What Winners Receive
All Applicants
- Technical clinics and office hours
- N-ATLAS onboarding support
- Technical resources and reference materials
- University roadshows and ecosystem briefings
Shortlisted Teams
- N-ATLAS API credentials
- Compute credits through partner infrastructure
- Technical mentorship during acceleration phase
- Support to strengthen and harden builds
- Invitations to Nigeria AI Innovators Summit
- Inclusion in NITDA AI talent registry
- Priority consideration for government AI pilots
Winners: Academia & Research
- NCAIR research-lab partnership
- N-ATLAS co-contributor credit
- Federal Government recognition
- Publication and model-card support
- National AI researcher registry inclusion
Winners: Innovation & Enterprise
- Government procurement pathway review
- ONDI incubation support
- Investor introductions
- N-ATLAS API integration support
- National AI startup directory inclusion
Submission Requirements
Every application must include seven components:
- Working Artefact: Repository, deployed application, published model, live API, or dataset
- N-ATLAS Integration Evidence: Documentation showing integration method
- Real-World Validation: Evidence of testing with actual users, real data, or live benchmarks
- Technical Documentation: Architecture, setup, and usage documentation
- Video Demonstration: 3–5 minute video showing end-to-end operation
- Team Profile: Names, affiliations, roles for all members
- Endorsement/Registration: Institutional letter (Track A) or CAC certificate/ID (Track B)
Timeline
- Applications open: 22 September 2026
- Application deadline: 12 October 2026, 11:59 PM (WAT)
- N-ATLAS integration check: 15–17 October 2026
- Shortlisting notification: 16–20 October 2026
- Mentorship phase: 25 October – 4 November 2026
- Digital Nigeria Showcase: 8–10 November 2026
Late submissions will not be accepted.
Evaluation Criteria
Submissions are assessed by technical AI experts, sector specialists, and ONDI/NCAIR representatives:
- Working Artefact & Technical Rigour
- N-ATLAS Integration depth and correctness
- Real-World Validation evidence
- Impact Potential (social, economic, ecosystem)
- Scalability & Sustainability
- Team Capability (expertise, diversity, delivery credibility)
Application Process
- Review eligibility requirements and select your track (Academia & Research or Innovation & Enterprise)
- Choose one problem statement (Developer Infrastructure, Voice-First Access, or Sectoral Fine-Tuning)
- Access N-ATLAS technical resources and begin building
- Prepare all seven submission components
- Submit through the official portal before 12 October 2026, 11:59 PM (WAT)
Official scholarship page: https://ncair.nitda.gov.ng/naic/
