info@dcinnovationhub.org
Overview
Substance abuse remains one of the most pressing social and public health challenges in Nigeria,
particularly among young people and vulnerable communities. The Innovation Challenge on Substance
Abuse in Nigeria is a call-to-action for innovators, technologists, researchers, community leaders, and
solution-driven individuals to propose practical, scalable, and tech-enabled solutions that can prevent
substance abuse, support recovery, and create sustainable alternatives for at-risk populations.
This challenge is designed to surface bold ideas that leverage technology, data, and community-driven
approaches to address substance abuse from prevention to rehabilitation and long-term reintegration.
Who Should Apply
We are calling on:
– Innovators and entrepreneurs
– Software developers and data scientists
– NGOs, community organisations, and social enterprises
– Researchers, students, and policy thinkers
– Health-tech and civic-tech builders
Whether you are an individual or part of a team, if you have an idea that can make a real impact, we want to
hear from you.
Focus Areas
1. Digital Prevention & Early Risk Detection
Solutions that use digital tools to :
- Identify early signs of substance abuse
- Provide education, awareness,
and behavioral nudges
- Enable early intervention for individuals at risk
Examples: mobile apps, AI-driven screening tools, anonymous reporting systems, awareness platforms.
2. Tech-Enabled Community Rehabilitation & Recovery
Innovations that support:
- Rehabilitation and recovery processes
- Community-based support systems
-Reintegration of recovering individuals into society
Examples: tele-rehab platforms, recovery tracking tools, peer-support networks, virtual counseling solutions.
3. Youth Opportunity Platforms & Alternative Pathways
Ideas that reduce vulnerability by creating:
- Economic and skill-based opportunities for youth
- Positive engagement pathways that divert attention from substance abuse
Examples: skills platforms, job-matching tools, creative hubs, sports-tech or ed-tech solutions.
4. Data, Intelligence & Decision-Support Systems
Solutions that empower stakeholders with:
- Actionable data and insights
- Policy and decision-support tools
- Monitoring and evaluation frameworks
Examples: dashboards for policymakers, predictive analytics, national or community-level data systems.
What We Are Looking For
Submissions will be evaluated based on:
- Impact – Ability to address substance abuse meaningfully
-Innovation – Originality and smart use of technology
- Feasibility – Practicality and scalability in the Nigerian context
- Sustainability – Long-term viability and adoption
- User-Centered Design – Clear
understanding of target beneficiaries
What You Gain
The opportunity to contribute to solving a real and urgent societal challenge
- A platform to put faith into action through practical, Kingdom aligned solutions
- Guidance to refine ideas into clear and workable solutions
- Exposure to innovation, problem solving, and venture creation thinking
-Access to mentorship and support within the Dominion City ecosystem
- Visibility for outstanding ideas and teams
- Opportunities for further development and implementation of promising solutions
- Growth in leadership, collaboration, and purpose
How to Submit Your Idea
1. Clearly describe the problem you are addressing
2. Explain your proposed solution and how it works
3. Identify your target audience and impact
4. Outline the technology or approach involved
5. Share your implementation and scaling plan