Build for, on, and with N-ATLAS
National AI Innovation Challenge
A national programme to deepen the development, adoption and scale of Nigeria’s sovereign Artificial Intelligence through N-ATLAS.
Build-only challenge — submit a working solution integrated with N-ATLAS.
About the Programme
Moving N-ATLAS from model availability to national infrastructure
The National AI Innovation Challenge is designed to deepen the technical development, adoption and practical use of Nigeria’s sovereign AI capabilities.
At the centre is N-ATLAS (Nigerian Atlas for Languages and AI at Scale), Nigeria’s first open-source, multilingual large language model. Fine-tuned from Llama-3 8B, it supports Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo and Nigerian-accented English, with Automatic Speech Recognition for voice applications.
The challenge directs Nigerian talent towards building developer tools, voice-first applications, and sector-specific AI solutions on N-ATLAS.
N-ATLAS Capabilities
- Multilingual LLM supporting Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Nigerian English
- Automatic Speech Recognition for voice-driven applications
- Open-source model fine-tuned from Llama-3 8B
Implemented By
Why This Challenge
From open-source model to national infrastructure
Making an AI model available is a first step. Turning it into infrastructure that developers, businesses and citizens can use requires tooling, applications and specialised adaptations.
01
Make N-ATLAS easier to build with
Develop infrastructure, documentation and tools that enable developers to integrate and extend N-ATLAS efficiently.
02
Put N-ATLAS into the hands of Nigerians
Build voice-first services that allow more Nigerians to access digital services through supported languages and accessible channels.
03
Adapt N-ATLAS to high-impact sectors
Develop specialised versions that understand the terminology and contexts of sectors where AI can deliver meaningful impact.
Programme Objectives
What the challenge aims to achieve
- 01Deepen the technical development of N-ATLAS through working developer tools, fine-tuned models, datasets and ecosystem contributions.
- 02Accelerate adoption through deployable, real-world applications, particularly voice-first services.
- 03Expand use across high-impact sectors including health, agriculture, education, legal services and financial inclusion.
- 04Connect Nigeria’s universities, private sector and government through a structured innovation ecosystem.
- 05Cultivate and showcase Nigerian AI talent nationally and internationally.
Choose Your Challenge
Three problem statements
Select one problem statement for your submission. All require genuine N-ATLAS integration.
Build the tools that make N-ATLAS easy to build with
N-ATLAS is open-source and downloadable, but Nigerian-maintained tooling is needed to help developers move from accessing the model to integrating, testing, adapting and deploying it.
Example Solutions
- Python or JavaScript SDK with clean abstractions over N-ATLAS endpoints
- Interactive browser-based playground for testing N-ATLAS outputs
- Fine-tuning starter kit with training scripts and evaluation tools
- Bilingual developer documentation with working examples
Who should apply
Teams with expertise in developer tooling, model integration, documentation or AI engineering.
Key Requirement
The solution must directly integrate with N-ATLAS. Wrapping another general-purpose model does not qualify.
Build applications for Nigerians who do not type
N-ATLAS includes ASR capabilities for Nigerian languages. The challenge is to translate those into useful, accessible services for everyday Nigerians.
Delivery Channels
- WhatsApp voice note services
- USSD-based voice applications
- Interactive Voice Response systems
- Low-bandwidth mobile applications
Use Cases
- Education and learning support
- Agricultural advisory
- Primary health information
- Civic information
- Financial literacy
Who should apply
Teams capable of building accessible digital services and testing with real target users.
Key Requirement
Voice input must use the official N-ATLAS ASR service for the relevant language.
Fine-tune N-ATLAS for high-impact Nigerian sectors
General-purpose models become more useful when adapted to the terminology, data and context of a particular field.
Target Domains
- Education and learning
- Primary healthcare and community health
- Smallholder agriculture
- Legal rights and civic literacy
- Basic financial literacy
Requirements
- Fine-tune N-ATLAS for one clearly defined domain
- Demonstrate measurable improvement over base N-ATLAS
- Deploy through a documented API another developer can integrate
Who should apply
Teams with experience in model fine-tuning, dataset development, benchmarking and evaluation.
Key Requirement
The model must be derived directly from N-ATLAS, not from another foundation model.
Participation Tracks
Choose your track
Both tracks can compete under any problem statement. The difference is who is applying and the documentation required.
Academia & Research
For university-based research teams, academic AI labs, postgraduate researchers and faculty.
Team Size
2–5 members
Requirements
- At least one enrolled student or postgraduate researcher
- A faculty supervisor
- Institutional endorsement letter from Head of Department
Typical Builds
Innovation & Enterprise
For registered startups, technology companies, social enterprises, independent developers and innovation hubs.
Team Size
2–5 members
Requirements
- CAC certificate for registered organisations
- Valid ID for individual applicants
- At least 50% of team based in Nigeria (for diaspora participation)
Typical Builds
Eligibility
Who can apply
You may apply if you meet the general requirements and the additional requirements for your chosen track.
General Requirements
- ✓All team members must be Nigerian citizens or registered Nigerian entities
- ✓Submission must be original work not previously awarded in another competition
- ✓Each team may submit to only one problem statement
- ✓Every submission must include a functioning technical artefact integrated with N-ATLAS
- ✓Applications and supporting materials must be in English
Not Eligible
- ✕Non-Nigerian citizens or entities
- ✕Previously awarded submissions
- ✕Concept-only proposals without working builds
- ✕Solutions not integrated with N-ATLAS
Academia & Research
- ✓Team lead enrolled in or employed by an accredited Nigerian university or research institution
- ✓Institutional endorsement letter signed by Head of Department or equivalent
Innovation & Enterprise
- ✓Individual applicants must be Nigerian citizens aged 18 or above
- ✓Company applicants must be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission
- ✓Diaspora teams must have at least 50% of members based in Nigeria
Build Requirements
Build, don't just propose
This is a build-only challenge. Every valid submission must demonstrate three things:
A working technical build
Software, deployed system, dataset, model or another functioning technical artefact relevant to your problem statement.
Genuine N-ATLAS integration
The project must use the N-ATLAS model, API, ASR service or training pipeline as required by your problem statement.
Real-world validation
Evidence of testing with actual users, real data or live benchmarks. Not simulated or hypothetical results.
Not sufficient for submission
- Research papers without a functional build
- Slide presentations or pitch decks
- Frameworks or methodologies
- Mock-ups or wireframes
- Proposals or concept documents
Submission Requirements
What you must submit
Every application must include these seven components.
Validation requirements by problem statement
Developer Infrastructure
At least 2 external beta testers
Voice-First Access
Minimum 50 documented real user interactions
Sectoral Fine-Tuning
Benchmark of 500+ examples vs base N-ATLAS
Evaluation
How applications are assessed
Submissions are assessed by a multidisciplinary panel of technical AI experts, sector specialists and representatives of ONDI and NCAIR.
The evaluation focuses heavily on the quality of the working build and the depth of its integration with N-ATLAS. A functioning artefact is mandatory.
Benefits
Support at every stage
The challenge is designed to support Nigerian AI builders beyond the application itself.
For all applicants
Technical Support
- Technical clinics and office hours
- N-ATLAS onboarding support
- Technical resources and reference materials
- University roadshows
- Ecosystem briefings
For shortlisted teams
Acceleration Support
- N-ATLAS API credentials
- Compute credits through partner infrastructure
- Technical mentorship during acceleration phase
- Support to strengthen and harden builds
- Invitations to Nigeria AI Innovators Summit
- Inclusion in NITDA AI talent registry
- Priority consideration for government AI pilots
For winners
Recognition & Opportunities
ACADEMIA & RESEARCH
- NCAIR research-lab partnership
- N-ATLAS co-contributor credit
- Federal Government recognition
- Publication and model-card support
- National AI researcher registry inclusion
INNOVATION & ENTERPRISE
- Government procurement pathway review
- ONDI incubation support
- Investor introductions
- N-ATLAS API integration support
- National AI startup directory inclusion
Timeline
Key dates
Applications must be submitted by 12 October 2026, 11:59 PM (WAT). Late submissions will not be accepted.
Launch
Applications Open
22 Sept 2026
Build
Build & Submission Period
22 Sept – 12 Oct 2026
Screening
Administrative Check
Rolling Basis
Verification
N-ATLAS Integration Check
15 – 17 Oct 2026
Shortlisting
Notification
16 – 20 Oct 2026
Acceleration
Mentorship Phase
25 Oct – 4 Nov 2026
Finals
Digital Nigeria Showcase
8 – 10 Nov 2026
Application Deadline
12 October 2026, 11:59 PM (WAT)
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
A national build-only challenge inviting Nigerian universities, research institutions, startups, technology companies and independent developers to build working tools, applications and fine-tuned models on N-ATLAS, Nigeria’s sovereign large language model.
N-ATLAS (Nigerian Atlas for Languages & AI at Scale) is Nigeria’s first open-source, multilingual large language model. Fine-tuned from Llama-3 8B, it supports Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo and Nigerian-accented English, with ASR for voice applications.
Every submission must ship a working technical artefact integrated with N-ATLAS and tested with real users, data or benchmarks. Research papers, proposals and frameworks without a functional build will not be evaluated.
Nigerian universities, research institutions, registered startups, technology companies and independent developers. All team members must be Nigerian citizens or registered Nigerian entities.
Track A (Academic & Research) is for university-based teams with 2–5 members including a faculty supervisor. Track B (Private Sector & Innovation) is for startups, companies and independent developers with 1–6 members.
No. Teams may submit to only one problem statement per submission cycle.
No. Submissions that wrap general-purpose models instead of N-ATLAS will be disqualified. The core requirement is genuine, demonstrable integration with N-ATLAS.
Evidence of testing with real users, real data, or live benchmarks. PS1 needs 2+ external beta testers, PS2 needs 50+ documented user interactions, PS3 needs a 500+ example benchmark.
Seven things: working artefact, N-ATLAS integration evidence, real-world validation, technical documentation, 3–5 minute video, team profile, and endorsement/registration evidence.
Applications close 12 October 2026 at 11:59 PM (WAT). Late submissions will not be accepted.
Still have questions? Contact the NAIC Secretariat
Resources
Everything you need to apply
Review the eligibility requirements, submission guidelines and evaluation criteria before you start building.
Build Nigeria's AI future
Join the National AI Innovation Challenge and contribute to the development of Nigeria’s sovereign AI capabilities.
National AI Innovation Challenge
An initiative of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, implemented through ONDI and NCAIR in partnership with Awarri Technologies.
