The National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) has deepened its partnership with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to advance a knowledge-based economy, spur job creation, and promote inclusive growth across Nigeria.
This development was cemented during a strategic meeting at the NGF Secretariat in Abuja, where both parties reaffirmed their commitment to embedding innovation into the country’s development framework.
Welcoming the NBTI team, NGF Director General Dr. Abdulateef Shittu described the collaboration as visionary and timely, aligning with Nigeria’s urgent need for transformation. He emphasized the power of innovation to reinforce governance, stimulate youth engagement, and build economic resilience. Shittu also spotlighted key NGF initiatives such as the Digital Public Infrastructure Readiness Index and the Intelligent Revenue Index, designed to help states assess digital capacity and improve governance.
He praised NBTI’s role in youth-focused programs like the NextGen Innovation Challenge and pledged the NGF’s support in integrating boot camps, showcases, and policy dialogues into its state-level initiatives. A major outcome of the meeting was the decision to establish a Joint Working Committee to identify areas of collaboration and streamline execution across Nigeria’s 36 states.
NBTI Director General Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji expressed appreciation for the NGF’s support, citing the enthusiastic response to the 2025 NextGen Innovation Challenge, which has received over 3,000 applications in two weeks. He announced that the initiative would now become an annual event to nurture local talent, support emerging businesses, and boost economic diversification.
Dr. Raji highlighted NBTI’s network of incubation centres, which have brought over 10,000 indigenous products to market some of which have gained international exposure and listings on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. These efforts, he noted, are aligned with the national goal of growing non-oil exports and strengthening local content.
In a bold step toward national innovation infrastructure, Dr. Raji unveiled plans to establish Renewed Hope Technology Hubs and Parks in all six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory. These modern centers, modeled after global success stories like Silicon Valley and Shenzhen, aim to support 50,000 startups annually and create over one million jobs.
“Our vision is to empower the next generation of Nigerian entrepreneurs,” he said. “With strong local innovation, we can improve livelihoods, strengthen the economy, and position Nigeria as a leader in tech development.”
NBTI is also driving advancements in artificial intelligence, smart agriculture, health tech, clean energy, educational technology, robotics, drone applications, and CNG vehicle conversions. Dr. Raji cited localized machines like rice millers and stone crushers as examples of successful homegrown innovations meeting both local and export standards.
He extended gratitude to state governors for hosting NBTI centres and called for deeper collaboration across all levels of government to ensure innovation is accessible and impactful for communities nationwide.
The joint innovation agenda will be driven by the newly formed Working Committee, which will coordinate state-level implementation and foster synergy between the NGF and NBTI.
Dr. Raji credited the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for creating an enabling environment through the Renewed Hope Agenda. He said the administration’s support for startups, indigenous technology, and public-private partnerships is driving real progress in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.
He also pointed to Nigeria’s growing engagement with the BRICS alliance as a step toward stronger international trade, global market access, and industrial leadership in Africa.
