Bart NnajiFoundation launches innovation challenge to improve palm wine harvesting, with winners sharing N25 million

The Bart NnajiFoundation has announced the Bart Nnaji Innovation Challenge, a practical competition that invites bold thinkers, builders, creators and problem‑solvers to devise safer methods for harvesting palm wine without the need to climb trees.

According to a statement signed by David Nwobodo on behalf of the foundation, which was established in 1983, the winners will share N25 million, with the first winner receiving N10 million and three additional winners sharing the remaining N15 million.

The competition is open to undergraduate and graduate students, participants in the one‑year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and independent researchers.

Nwobodo said the challenge “is aimed at encouraging practical engineering solutions that can protect life, support rural enterprise, and modernize palm wine harvesting without erasing its cultural value. The challenge focuses on a real and long‑standing problem within Nigeria’s traditional palm wine industry: how to preserve an important cultural and economic practice while reducing the risks faced by traditional palm wine harvesters.”

He added, “For generations, palm wine harvesting has remained an important part of community life, supporting families, local traders, small businesses, ceremonies, festivals, and social gatherings across many communities. However, the traditional method often requires harvesters to climb tall palm trees using ropes, pegs, and improvised tools, a process that is physically demanding and dangerous.”

The foundation noted that as many experienced traditional harvesters grow older and fewer young people are willing to undertake such hazardous work, the future of palm wine harvesting now requires safer, smarter, and more practical solutions.

“The challenge is simple: design a safe way to harvest palm wine without climbing trees.”

Participants are expected to develop practical ideas that can reduce or eliminate the need for harvesters to climb tall trees. Proposed solutions may involve engineering, mechanics, automation, local materials, improved tools, modified harvesting systems, or any creative approach that can make palm wine harvesting safer and more efficient.

“At the heart of the challenge is one goal: protect lives while supporting local enterprise,” the foundation stated.

Dr Ifeabunike Joseph Dioha, a Professor of Industrial Chemistry and Energy Studies and Director of Renewable Energy Projects at the Admiralty University of Nigeria (ADUN) in Delta State, described the initiative as a timely intervention that links science, engineering, innovation and community development.

“This is the kind of innovation challenge that should excite students, researchers, and practical problem‑solvers because it applies science to a real‑life problem,” Professor Dioha said.

Dioha, a former director of the Energy Commission of Nigeria in the Presidency, Abuja, noted that some of his postgraduate students are already participating in the challenge.

“I am pleased that some of my postgraduate students are participating. It gives them the opportunity to think practically, design responsibly, and contribute to a solution that can have direct impact on society,” he added.

According to the statement, the challenge is open to individuals and teams with innovative ideas. Students, engineers, makers, builders, technicians, researchers, entrepreneurs and practical problem‑solvers are encouraged to apply. The winner will receive a ₦10,000,000 Grand Prize. Prototype development funding will be provided for the top three finalists to help them build and test their solutions, and travel support will be offered for the top three finalists attending the pitch defence.

Interested individuals and teams can register through the official competition page. Entries close on 27 May 2026.