The National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) says it advanced investment and development-finance opportunities worth more than US$600 million and showcased 298 Nigerian innovators at the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2026 held in London.
Speaking at a world press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, NBTI Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Kazeem Kolawole Raji, said the event brought together innovators, investors, business leaders and development partners under the theme, “From Nigerian Ingenuity to Global Impact.”
According to Raji, participation in the innovation challenge increased from 105 innovators in 2025 to 298 innovators in 2026, representing all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The participants showcased technologies across artificial intelligence, robotics, agriculture, healthcare, education, renewable energy, telecommunications and advanced manufacturing.
A major outcome of the event, he said, was the advancement of potential investment opportunities exceeding US$600 million. The figure includes a proposed US$500 million solar-energy programme being discussed with Gigawatt Global for solar farms in Nigerian universities and polytechnics, as well as a US$100 million financing opportunity linked to the Tinubu Light Initiative through a memorandum of understanding between NBTI and Financial Innovation for Impact UK (Cambridge Investors).
Raji, however, stressed that the amounts represent proposed investments and financing opportunities and should not be interpreted as funds already received or deployed. He said implementation would depend on due diligence, financing arrangements, regulatory approvals and contractual commitments.
The NBTI chief also highlighted the unveiling of the Tinubu Light Initiative, a proposed national solar-inclusion programme designed to support one million micro and small businesses across Nigeria. The initiative targets the deployment of solar-energy solutions to businesses, training for 10,000 field marketers and the creation of 50,000 direct youth jobs, among other objectives.
In addition, Dubai-based investor Erin Grover announced a US$100,000 investment commitment to support three women innovators. Raji said the commitment could help expand opportunities for women-led enterprises in sectors including technology, healthcare and agriculture.
The event also produced international opportunities for selected innovators. Sixteen innovators were offered accelerator placements in Finland, Estonia, Poland and Abu Dhabi through a programme announced by Dr Mazin Gadir. The opportunities were valued at approximately US$10,000 per participant.
Further support came from The Learning and Development Bureau UK, which offered scholarships for the same 16 innovators to undertake a Pre-MBA Level 7 Award in Strategic Leadership and Management. The scholarships were valued at more than £5,000 each. The organisation also pledged support for applications under the UK’s Global Talent Visa programme, subject to eligibility requirements.
Raji said the next phase for NBTI would focus on converting investment commitments, acceleration programmes and partnership agreements into measurable outcomes through enterprise development, job creation, clean-energy deployment and increased commercialisation of Nigerian innovations.
“We must turn exposure into market access, partnerships into implementation, innovation into enterprise, enterprise into employment, and investment opportunities into productive economic activity,” he said.
