Ahmad, who is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of AgroGuard, said his participation in the project’s grand finale in London provided an opportunity to showcase the innovation, engage with investors and explore potential partnerships to support its growth.

He disclosed that discussions with prospective investors and partners were continuing remotely, with a focus on securing funding and sponsorships to support AgroGuard’s market entry, expansion and impact on smallholder farmers.

According to him, the engagements also opened doors to international opportunities, including programmes that could help strengthen the technology, expand professional networks and position the innovation for growth beyond Nigeria.

Ahmad said his long-term ambition was to develop AgroGuard into a scalable agricultural technology solution that would enable farmers to make better decisions, reduce crop losses and improve agricultural productivity.

The innovation leverages AI and IoT technology to support smarter agricultural practices, an approach that could help farmers respond more effectively to challenges affecting crop production.

He noted that the experience in London went beyond showcasing the technology, providing valuable exposure to potential investors and other stakeholders in the agricultural technology sector.

The development was announced by Young Innovators of Nigeria, which said the achievement demonstrates the potential of Nigerian youths when provided with access to opportunities, mentorship and platforms to develop their ideas.

The Next Gen Innovation Challenge was officially launched on February 26 by the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Board for Technology Incubation, Dr Kazeem Kolawole Raji.

Young Innovators of Nigeria said the success of its Campus Ambassador represents more than an individual achievement, describing it as an indication of what young Nigerians can accomplish when their ideas receive the necessary support.

The organisation said Nigerian innovators are developing solutions across areas including artificial intelligence, smart agriculture, financial technology, health technology, climate technology, renewable energy, smart cities, mobility and education.

It added that its ecosystem has mapped more than 10,000 AI innovators, 7,500 startup ideas and 2,500 validated solutions across 12 industries.

According to the organisation, the growing pipeline of innovators and solutions demonstrates Nigeria’s capacity to produce technologies capable of addressing local challenges while creating economic opportunities.

Young Innovators of Nigeria also commended the Federal Government and the National Board for Technology Incubation for supporting platforms that enable young Nigerians to compete internationally and showcase their innovations beyond the country.

The organisation congratulated its Campus Ambassador on the achievement, saying the journey should encourage other young Nigerian innovators to develop and pursue their ideas.

Bala stated this while speaking with National Focus Newspaper in a telephone interview, where he discussed the challenges facing indigenous technology and innovation in Nigeria.

According to him, countries from which Nigeria currently purchases helicopters could frustrate efforts to establish local manufacturing if they discovered that the country was developing the capacity to produce its own aircraft.

He explained that such countries would go to great lengths to prevent the success of Nigeria’s helicopter manufacturing efforts because they want the country to continue purchasing helicopters from them.

“If the country where we buy helicopters from discovered that we want to start manufacturing our own, they will go length and breadth to make sure they frustrate the process and to make sure that those things are not successful,” he said.

Bala alleged that foreign manufacturers may also withhold critical information and components needed for Nigeria to develop its own helicopter manufacturing capacity.

He said the countries supplying helicopters to Nigeria would not provide all the necessary parts and technical knowledge required for local production because they want to retain the economic opportunities associated with selling the aircraft.

The AI Hub CEO said continued dependence on imported technology means that the economic benefits associated with manufacturing remain largely outside Nigeria.

The agency, in a recent message, emphasised that innovation thrives in an environment where knowledge, technology, mentorship, funding, infrastructure, industry and opportunities converge.

According to NBTI, its role is to serve as a central link within the innovation ecosystem, helping entrepreneurs and young innovators access the support required to move from the idea stage to developing practical solutions with measurable impact.

The board encouraged young Nigerians to pursue bold ideas and leverage available opportunities, noting that innovation can begin at the community level, scale across Nigeria and Africa, and ultimately reach global markets.

NBTI said its incubation approach is designed to help innovators navigate the journey from conceptualising an idea to building solutions capable of creating economic and social value.

“NBTI is at the centre of the ecosystem, helping to connect the dots, open doors and create pathways for innovation to thrive,” the board stated.

The agency, however, stressed that while it provides an enabling ecosystem, young innovators remain central to shaping the future of innovation.

It urged aspiring innovators to believe in the potential of their ideas and take advantage of the support available to turn their creativity into sustainable solutions.