How to Apply for the USFP #10 Million ChangeMaker Challenge 2026
The Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, has opened applications for the USPF Changemaker Challenge 2026.
The challenge aims to promote digital inclusion in Nigeria by supporting homegrown Information and Communication Technology (ICT) innovations that address real problems affecting underserved and unserved communities.
Innovation teams and early-stage startups across Nigeria are invited to develop practical technology solutions in five sectors: agriculture, education, healthcare, clean and affordable energy, and financial inclusion.
The challenge offers a total national cash prize pool of ₦10 million to the top three teams. Additionally, six teams selected for the National Demo Day will receive four weeks of structured incubation and venture support.
Interested applicants must apply in teams of two to five members and submit their applications online through the InnoX application platform. The application deadline is Sunday, November 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. WAT.
Quick Facts
- Programme: USPF Changemaker Challenge 2026
- Organiser: Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF)
- Collaborating Organisations: Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy
- Category: Innovation Challenge | Grant | Startup Competition
- Eligible Applicants: Innovation teams and early-stage startups
- Eligible Countries: Nigeria
- Eligible Locations: All 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory
- Team Size: 2–5 members
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Challenge Sectors: Agriculture, Education, Healthcare, Clean and Affordable Energy, and Financial Inclusion
- Total Cash Prize: ₦10 million
- First Prize: ₦5 million
- Second Prize: ₦3 million
- Third Prize: ₦2 million
- Additional Benefits: Four weeks of incubation and venture support for six National Demo Day finalists
- Application Method: Online application through the InnoX platform
- Application Opens: November 2, 2026
- Application Deadline: November 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. WAT
- Participation Fee: Not specified in the announcement
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What Is the USPF Changemaker Challenge?
The USPF Changemaker Challenge is an innovation competition designed to encourage Nigerian innovation teams and early-stage startups to develop technology-driven solutions that improve digital inclusion.
The programme focuses on addressing challenges affecting underserved and unserved communities through practical ICT innovations.
It provides selected teams with opportunities to present their solutions before regional and national judging panels, compete for cash prizes and receive incubation support.
The challenge focuses on five important sectors: agriculture, education, healthcare, clean and affordable energy, and financial inclusion.
Is the USPF Changemaker Challenge Right for You?
You should consider applying if:
- You have an ICT-based idea, prototype, Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or working technology solution.
- You are part of an innovation team consisting of two to five members.
- Your proposed solution addresses a problem affecting underserved or unserved communities in Nigeria.
- Your innovation relates to agriculture, education, healthcare, clean energy or financial inclusion.
- You are interested in developing your innovation into a practical solution with the support of incubation and venture development experts.
- Your team is available to participate in the virtual Regional Demo Days and the National Demo Day if shortlisted.
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You may not qualify if:
- Your team has fewer than two or more than five members.
- Any team member is below 18 years old.
- Your team does not have an ICT-driven idea, prototype, MVP or working system addressing one of the five challenge sectors.
- Your team members are not Nigerian citizens or legal residents living in Nigeria.
What Does the USPF Changemaker Challenge Offer?
The USPF Changemaker Challenge offers a total national cash prize pool of ₦10 million to the three winning teams.
Cash Prizes
The cash prizes will be distributed as follows:
- First Prize: ₦5,000,000.
- Second Prize: ₦3,000,000.
- Third Prize: ₦2,000,000.
Incubation and Venture Support
Six teams selected for the National Demo Day will receive four weeks of structured incubation and venture support.
The support is designed to help participating teams develop their innovative solutions and business models.
Opportunities to Present Innovations
Selected teams will have opportunities to present their solutions before regional and national judging panels.
Intellectual Property Ownership
Each participating team retains 100% ownership of its intellectual property.
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Who Can Apply for the USPF Changemaker Challenge 2026?
The challenge is open to innovation teams and early-stage startups across all 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory.
Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
Team Composition
Applicants must apply as a team consisting of two to five members.
Age Requirement
Every team member must be at least 18 years old. There is no upper age limit.
Nationality and Residency
Applicants must be Nigerian citizens or legal residents living in Nigeria.
Innovation Requirements
Each team must have an ICT-driven idea, prototype, Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or working system addressing one of the five challenge sectors.
Business Registration
Business registration is not compulsory. Therefore, teams can apply without having a registered business.
Participation Requirements
Selected teams must be available to participate in the virtual Regional Demo Days and the National Demo Day if shortlisted.
Which Innovation Sectors Are Eligible for the USPF Changemaker Challenge?
Applicants must develop an ICT-based solution addressing one of the five challenge sectors.
Agriculture
The agriculture category focuses on digital solutions that help farmers and agricultural businesses access information, services and tools to improve productivity and livelihoods.
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Education
The education category focuses on improving access to learning opportunities and educational resources for children, young people and educators in underserved communities.
Healthcare
The healthcare category encourages solutions that improve access to reliable health information, essential healthcare services and continuous care.
Clean and Affordable Energy
This category focuses on promoting access to reliable and affordable clean energy solutions for underserved households, businesses and community services.
Financial Inclusion
The financial inclusion category encourages solutions that help individuals and small businesses access safe and affordable financial services and manage their financial needs.
What Do You Need to Apply for the USPF Changemaker Challenge?
Before starting the application, interested teams should prepare the following:
- A team consisting of two to five eligible members.
- An ICT-driven idea, prototype, MVP or working system.
- A clearly defined problem that the proposed solution addresses.
- Information about the proposed solution and how it works.
- Details of the target beneficiaries.
- Information about all team members.
- Required supporting documents for the online application.
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How Competitive Is the USPF Changemaker Challenge?
The competition will progress through application screening, regional presentations, national presentations and incubation support.
Applications will be assessed against the participation requirements and approved selection criteria.
Six teams will be selected for the National Demo Day, where one team from each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones will present its innovation before a judging panel.
The three top-performing teams will receive cash prizes of ₦5 million, ₦3 million and ₦2 million, respectively.
How to Apply for the USPF Changemaker Challenge 2026
Interested and eligible innovation teams and early-stage startups must complete their applications online through the InnoX application platform.
Follow these steps to apply:
- Click the link below.
- Review the five USPF Changemaker Challenge sectors and identify the category that best matches your innovation.
- Read and understand the selected sector’s problem statement, challenge question and illustrative areas.
- Visit the InnoX application platform and select “Apply Now”.
- Create an account on the platform.
- Provide details of your proposed solution, including the problem it addresses, target beneficiaries and how the ICT solution works.
- Provide information about all team members.
- Upload the required supporting documents.
- Review your application to ensure that the information provided is accurate and complete.
- Submit your application before the deadline.
Apply here
Applicants may also participate in optional information sessions to learn more about the challenge.
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USPF Changemaker Challenge 2026 Programme Structure
The challenge will progress through five stages.
Stage 1: Online Applications
Applications will be accepted from November 2 to November 15, 2026.
Interested teams must complete and submit their applications through the InnoX platform.
Stage 2: Review and Selection
Submitted applications will be assessed against the participation requirements and approved selection criteria.
Stage 3: Regional Demo Days
Six virtual Regional Demo Days will be organised for selected teams from across Nigeria.
Stage 4: National Demo Day
The National Demo Day will take place physically in Abuja.
One team from each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones will present its innovation before a national judging panel.
Stage 5: Incubation and Venture Support
The six National Demo Day finalists will receive four weeks of structured incubation and venture support to help develop their innovations and business models.
Important Things to Know Before Applying
- Applications are open to innovation teams and early-stage startups across Nigeria.
- Teams must consist of two to five members.
- Every team member must be at least 18 years old.
- There is no upper age limit.
- Applicants must be Nigerian citizens or legal residents living in Nigeria.
- Business registration is not compulsory.
- Each team must present an ICT-driven idea, prototype, MVP or working system.
- The proposed innovation must address one of the five challenge sectors.
- Six teams will be selected for the National Demo Day.
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- The National Demo Day will take place physically in Abuja.
- The six national finalists will receive four weeks of incubation and venture support.
- Each participating team retains 100% ownership of its intellectual property.
- The application deadline is November 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. WAT.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the USPF Changemaker Challenge 2026?
The USPF Changemaker Challenge is an innovation competition organised by the Universal Service Provision Fund to support ICT-driven solutions that address challenges affecting underserved and unserved communities in Nigeria.
Who can apply for the USPF Changemaker Challenge?
Innovation teams and early-stage startups across Nigeria can apply, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.
How many people can apply as a team?
Each team must consist of two to five members.
What is the minimum age requirement?
Every team member must be at least 18 years old. There is no upper age limit.
Is business registration compulsory?
No. Business registration is not compulsory for participation.
What are the eligible sectors?
The five eligible sectors are agriculture, education, healthcare, clean and affordable energy, and financial inclusion.
How much is the USPF Changemaker Challenge cash prize?
The challenge offers a total cash prize pool of ₦10 million to the top three teams.
How much will the first-place winner receive?
The first-place team will receive ₦5 million.
How many teams will receive incubation support?
Six teams selected for the National Demo Day will receive four weeks of structured incubation and venture support.
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Where will the National Demo Day take place?
The National Demo Day will take place physically in Abuja.
Do participating teams retain ownership of their innovations?
Yes. Each participating team retains 100% ownership of its intellectual property.
When is the USPF Changemaker Challenge application deadline?
The application deadline is Sunday, November 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. West Africa Time (WAT).
How can I apply for the USPF Changemaker Challenge?
Interested teams should register on the InnoX application platform, provide details of their proposed solutions and team members, upload the required supporting documents and submit their applications before the deadline.
Our Take: Who Should Apply?
The USPF Changemaker Challenge 2026 is suitable for Nigerian innovation teams and early-stage startups developing technology solutions to address real problems in underserved and unserved communities.
Teams working on digital agriculture, educational technology, healthcare technology, clean energy and financial inclusion should consider applying.
The opportunity is particularly relevant to teams that already have an ICT-based idea, prototype, MVP or working system and are ready to develop it further.
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With ₦10 million in cash prizes, four weeks of incubation support for six national finalists and full intellectual property ownership retained by participating teams, the challenge offers an opportunity to advance homegrown technology innovations in Nigeria.
Conclusion
The USPF Changemaker Challenge 2026 invites Nigerian innovation teams and early-stage startups to develop ICT-based solutions that promote digital inclusion across five key sectors.
Eligible teams can compete for cash prizes of up to ₦5 million and access four weeks of incubation and venture support if selected among the six National Demo Day finalists.
Interested applicants should complete their online applications through the InnoX platform before November 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. WAT.