Kaduna representative Abdulrahaman Bin Umar has secured a ₦2.5 million prize at the 2026 NASENI InnovateNaija Innovation Challenge for SmartFarm, a drone-based agricultural spraying innovation. Governor Uba Sani announced that he would match the prize, potentially bringing the student's startup support to ₦5 million, after Bin Umar was selected among 15 state champions from more than 1,300 competitors nationwide.
Kaduna State emerged among the top 15 state representatives recognised at the 2026 NASENI InnovateNaija Innovation Challenge, with Abdulrahaman Bin Umar receiving a ₦2.5 million prize for his SmartFarm innovation. Bin Umar, an English Language undergraduate from Anchau, was selected from a field of more than 1,300 competitors across Nigeria.
SmartFarm is described as a drone capable of spraying up to 11 hectares of farmland in one hour. The innovation is intended to provide smallholder farmers with an affordable and efficient agricultural spraying service. The account identifies its stated operating capacity but does not provide independent technical testing, cost comparisons or evidence of commercial deployment.
Governor Uba Sani announced that Kaduna State would match the ₦2.5 million prize, which would bring the total announced startup support for Bin Umar to ₦5 million if the matching contribution is delivered. Deputy Governor Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe represented Sani at the awards ceremony held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Balarabe described the competition as a way to identify and develop innovative ideas across the country's 36 states and the FCT. She said Kaduna remained committed to digital inclusion and innovation as tools for rural transformation and youth empowerment, and encouraged investors to recognise the economic potential of emerging innovators.
The awards ceremony recognised winners across four categories: Future Makers, NASENI Inter-Agency Innovation Award, NASENI Intra-Agency Award and InnovateNaija. A total of ₦250 million was reported as awarded, including ₦100 million to Abia's Adaeze Ruth Akpagbula for Smart Poultry, ₦30 million to Ondo's Oluwatoyin Ogundeji and ₦20 million to Katsina's Aminu Saleh Jino. Bin Umar's award and Kaduna's matching pledge were presented as support for developing the SmartFarm innovation.