Technology Incubation Centre Ogun State Nigeria

*NBTI DG/CEO, Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji, Felicitates Muslims on Eid al-Fitr*

The National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), under the leadership of its Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji, warmly extends its heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all Muslims across Nigeria and around the world on the joyous occasion of Eid al-Fitr.

Eid al-Fitr, which marks the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan, is a significant period in the Islamic calendar. It is a time for reflection, gratitude, spiritual renewal, and acts of charity—embodying the enduring values of self-discipline, compassion, and unity.

In his goodwill message, Dr. Raji stated:

“On behalf of the Management and Staff of the National Board for Technology Incubation, I wish you a peaceful and joyous celebration. May Almighty Allah answer all our prayers and grant us our heart’s desires. Eid Mubarak.”

“As we celebrate the end of Ramadan, let us reflect on the virtues of patience, empathy, and sacrifice. This sacred season calls on us to support the less privileged and strengthen the bonds of community and brotherhood.”

“The NBTI remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering technology-driven innovation and supporting entrepreneurs who are building a sustainable future for our nation, in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. The discipline and resilience demonstrated during Ramadan are qualities we equally see in Nigeria’s vibrant innovation ecosystem.”

“As we mark this special occasion, we pray that the blessings, peace, and joy of Eid abide with us all and with our dear nation, Nigeria. Together, through unity of purpose and faith, we can overcome our challenges and achieve shared prosperity.”

The National Board for Technology Incubation reaffirms its dedication to accelerating Nigeria’s industrial and economic development through the promotion and nurturing of technology-based innovation enterprises.

*Commonwealth Partners NBTI to drive Innovations across Commonwealth 56 Member Nations.*

Meeting with the Commonwealth Representatives today at the Nigeria High Commission London focused on collaboration and partnership for the NBTI–Commonwealth NextGen Innovation Challenge, scheduled to hold in Antigua and Barbuda in November 2026.

One of the biggest success stories of the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2025, an initiative of the National Board for Technology Incubation under the leadership of Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji, is the remarkable interest it has generated across the global innovation ecosystem. Most notably, the Commonwealth of Nations has expressed strong interest in replicating the initiative across its 56 member countries, recognizing it as a powerful platform for nurturing young innovators, startups, promoting technology-driven solutions, and strengthening economic collaboration among Commonwealth nations.

This growing interest reflects the impact and credibility the initiative has built within a short time. The move toward broader Commonwealth adoption signals a new phase where innovation, youth empowerment, and cross-border collaboration can be scaled across multiple regions.

For Nigeria, this partnership represents far more than participation in an international program. It is a strategic opportunity to showcase the country’s innovation capacity, creativity, and youthful potential on the global stage. Through this collaboration, Nigeria is positioned not just as a participant but as a driver of ideas and solutions within the Commonwealth innovation ecosystem.

More importantly, it places the National Board for Technology Incubation firmly on the global map as a leading institution championing technology incubation, youth-led innovation, and entrepreneurship. What began as a national initiative has now evolved into a model attracting international recognition and replication.

Present at the meeting are Dr Kazeem Kolawole RAJI, Director General/CEO, National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), Representatives of Commonwealth led by Mr Arif Zaman, Angela Thomas, Philippa Martinelli, Commonwealth Investment Network, India Baines, FCDO, Zahra Shah NEXAQUANTA AI Transformation London, Mrs Lucia Radovanovic and Bishakha Mukherjee, Namibia High Commission London, Representative of Lesotho High Commission, London and UKALD Representatives Hon. Tunde Doherty, Mr John Adelola and Mr Tope Omojayogbe among others.

Be part of the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2026 www.nextgeninnovation.ng

*Powering Nigeria’s Future: NBTI Unveils the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2026*

National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), under the visionary leadership of Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji, Director General/CEO, today officially unveils the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2026 in Abuja—marking a defining moment in Nigeria’s journey toward a globally competitive, innovation-driven economy.

*The Application Portal Is Now Open*

*Deadline: 28 March 2026*

The NextGen Innovation Challenge 2026 calls on Nigeria’s brightest innovators, researchers, startups, inventors, academics, students, entrepreneurs, and technology-driven enterprises to submit market-ready, scalable solutions with clear commercial value and strong investment potential.

This year’s edition is intentionally designed to move beyond concepts and pitch decks. It focuses on validated innovations capable of real-world deployment, revenue generation, job creation, and global competitiveness. NextGen 2026 is not merely a competition—it is a structured commercialization pipeline aligned with NBTI’s statutory mandate to nurture, incubate, and accelerate indigenous technologies into viable enterprises.

*Critical Priority Sectors*

Entries are invited across high-impact sectors central to Nigeria’s development priorities and aligned with emerging global technology frontiers:
*• Artificial Intelligence & Robotics*
*• Advanced Semiconductors & Digital Infrastructure*
*• Software Engineering & Advanced Design*
*• Telecommunications (6G & AI Integration)*
*• Green & Renewable Energy Technologies*
*• Climate Resilience & Flood Detection Systems*
*• Climate-Smart & Environmental Solutions*
*• Safety, Surveillance & Smart Tracking Technologies.*
*• Agri-tech, Health-tech & Edu-tech*
*• 3D Automation & Additive Manufacturing*
*• Virtual Reality & Immersive Technologies*
*• Women-in-Tech & Gender-Inclusive Innovations*

These domains reflect Nigeria’s ambition to strengthen industrial capacity, deepen technological sovereignty, enhance climate resilience, and expand inclusive economic participation.

*Strategic Global Partnerships*

NextGen 2026 is reinforced by high-level international partnerships, including:
*• Innovate UK*
*• Teesside University, UK*
*• Google*
*• Cambridge Alternative Finance*
*• Commonwealth Investment Network (CIN)*
*• International climate-finance partners*

These institutions will provide structured mentorship, commercialization pathways, investor matchmaking, and direct access to global markets and financing ecosystems.

Programme Milestones
*• Innovation Boot Camps – July 2026 (Abuja):*
Intensive training, product validation, commercialization refinement, and investor-readiness acceleration.
*• Global Grand Finale – October 2026 (London):*
Selected innovators will pitch before international investors, policymakers, development institutions, and global industry leaders.

*Merit-Based, Globally Benchmarked Evaluation*

In line with global best practice, all submissions will be assessed using the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) framework—ensuring objective, transparent, and internationally recognized evaluation based on technological maturity, functionality, scalability, and market readiness.

*The 2026 edition is strictly merit-driven.*

*Dedicated Innovate UK Commercialization Slots*

As part of NBTI’s commitment to high-impact, investment-ready innovation, *20 exclusive Innovate UK-backed slots have been secured for advanced innovations with Minimum Viable Products (MVPs).*

These are reserved for technologies that have:
• Successfully passed proof-of-concept
• Demonstrated operational functionality
• Reached early-stage commercial deployment

Selected innovators will receive accelerated incubation support, priority investor exposure, and structured pathways to international markets.

NextGen Innovation Challenge 2026 represents a strategic national platform to translate Nigerian ingenuity into enterprise, employment, exports, and global technological relevance.

*Innovators are strongly encouraged to apply early via: www.nextgeninnovation.ng*

*Application Deadline: 28 March 2026*

Nigeria’s next global technology champions will emerge from this platform.

*Asiwaju Ibrahim Agboola*
*Information & Public Relations Officer*
*National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI)*
*Abuja, Nigeria*