by Isqil Najim
The search for Nigeria’s next generation of clean energy pioneers has officially begun. The Nigeria Energy Forum (NEF), in partnership with impact investment firm All On, has announced the call for pitch decks for the 2026 Tertiary Institutions Student Energy Pitch Challenge (TIEC 4.0).
The competition is designed to bridge the gap between academic innovation and commercial viability. This year, student teams from across Nigeria’s universities, polytechnics, and technical colleges are invited to compete for a share of 7 million Naira in grants, along with high-level mentorship and business support.
Eligibility and Requirements
The challenge is open to undergraduate and master’s students currently registered in Nigerian tertiary institutions. To foster interdisciplinary innovation, teams are encouraged to collaborate across different faculties. Each team must be mentored by a faculty staff member and demonstrate a commitment to gender equity.
The 2026 cycle highlights four critical thematic areas:
- Powering Youth Employment & Jobs
- Energizing Agri-business
- Green Manufacturing & Value Addition
- Transforming AI & Connectivity
Key Evaluation Criteria
“The goal is to accelerate high-impact energy innovations that don’t just exist on paper but foster real-world job creation,” the organizers stated. Entries will be judged by an independent expert panel based on:
- Local Content: Utilization of local expertise and resources.
- Commercial Viability: Cost-efficiency and market readiness.
- Originality: Creative applications in the energy sector.
- Teamship: Evaluation of gender balance, team capabilities, and motivation.
The Road to the Finals
The journey is rigorous. Following the initial submission, shortlisted teams will progress through technical poster presentations and a social media public vote. The climax of the event will take place in-person at the 11th Nigeria Energy Forum at the Marcellina Centre in Ikeja, Lagos, where finalists will pitch live to a panel of expert judges.
Timeline and Deadlines
- April 17, 2026: Deadline for Stage 1 (Submission of 50-word abstract and 7-slide Pitch Deck).
- May 9, 2026: Notification of shortlisted entries.
- May 23–30, 2026: Public voting phase for 1-minute video pitches on social media.
- June 27–30, 2026: Live Finals and Awards Ceremony in Lagos.
How to Apply
Interested teams must complete the online form at www.thenef.org/tiec2026 and forward proof of submission to [email protected]. Early submission is highly encouraged as decks are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Past winners are encouraged to serve as ambassadors and mentors for new applicants rather than re-entering.
2025 TIEC Recap
The 2025 edition was the largest student pitch to date, pulling in 93 student teams from 35 different Nigerian institutions across 25 states.
The core mission you witnessed was “Local Content.” Judges weren’t just looking for smart ideas; they were looking for physical prototypes built with materials available in Nigeria that could be scaled into actual businesses. Supported by All On, the total prize pool of ₦4.5 Million was designed to move these three specific projects from the lab into the local market.
1. First Place: Green Preserve (University of Cross River): The Project: They developed a Solar-Powered Cooling System specifically engineered for rural Nigerian markets. The goal was to provide a sustainable, off-grid refrigeration solution for small-scale farmers to prevent post-harvest spoilage of perishable goods.
The Prize: ₦2,000,000 (Two Million Naira) cash grant.
2. Second Place: AI Hybrid Agri Dryer (University of Lagos): The Project: This team showcased a Smart Crop Drying System. It used an AI-integrated hybrid heating model to automate and optimize the drying process for agricultural products, significantly improving the speed and quality of food preservation compared to traditional sun-drying.
The Prize: ₦1,500,000 (One.Five Million Naira) cash grant.
3. Third Place: Keytric (University of Port Harcourt): The Project: They presented an Energy Management & Smart Metering solution. This was a hardware-and-software combo designed to help Nigerian SMEs monitor their power consumption in real-time, helping them cut costs and manage erratic power supply more efficiently.
The Prize: ₦1,000,000 (One Million Naira) cash grant.