By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi,Abuja

Federal Government has vowed to unleash the innovation of Nigerians unlock the potential of youth, and build an inclusive economy that rewards ideas, enterprise, and courage.

Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, made the promise at the National Exhibition of the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2025 with the theme: “Unveiling Nigeria’s Future through Innovation” organised by the National Board for Technology Incubation, NBTI, in Abuja.

He said: This event is not just an exhibition—it is an embodiment of the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The President has made it clear: we will no longer be a nation that imports solutions to problems we have the capacity to solve.

“We will unleash the innovation of our people, unlock the potential of our youth, and build an inclusive economy that

rewards ideas, enterprise, and courage.

Under this Renewed Hope framework, innovation is no longer on the periphery of governance—it is at the heart of national development.

“That is why we are investing in digital transformation, expanding access to science and technology education, and reforming our innovation ecosystem to

reduce bureaucracy and open doors to capital, mentorship, and market access.

“Today, we are seeing the practical fruits of that vision. From clean energy to agri-tech, fintech, edtech, AI, and deep-tech solutions—our young innovators are proving that Nigeria is not just

consuming technology; we are creating it.”

He assured that the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology is fully aligned with the President’s vision, adding that it is committed to strengthening innovation hubs across the country, scaling support for idea-to-market transitions, and creating the policy and regulatory environment that encourages risk, rewards excellence, and promotes inclusion.

Nnaji commended the NBTI and the organizing committee “for creating a national platform that speaks directly to the aspirations of our youth and the future of our country.”

He disclosed that over 3,000 innovation entries were received from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT this year, adding that “from this incredible pool of talent, 74 finalists have emerged—each one a testament to the ingenuity, courage, and brilliance that define the Nigerian spirit.”

“To each finalist here today: I say congratulations. Your selection is not just a personal achievement—it

is a national endorsement of your potential to solve real problems and move us forward,” he stressed.

The minister urged the private sector partners and global friends to invest in the innovators, saying, “What you see today is just a glimpse of what Nigeria has to offer.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the Director General of NBTI, Dr. Kazeem Raji, said the national showcase of the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2025 was “a transformative platform engineered to amplify the brilliance of Nigerian minds, and to project homegrown solutions onto the global stage.”

Raji informed that the theme for the national showcase, “Igniting Indigenous Ingenuity: Nigerian Solutions, Global Impact,” captures the essence of the event, saying “It is not just a slogan. It is a declaration—bold, unflinching, and resolute—that Nigeria’s time to lead with innovation is now.”

The Director General recalled that the journey which began with a spark—at the kick-off ceremony held on May 28, 2025, at the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, RMRDC, Abuja has proved that “Nigeria is not just catching up; Nigeria is taking the lead.”

While disclosing that this year’s innovation challenge received over 3,000 applications across the country, he said “every entry, every idea, is a vote of confidence in the future we are building—a future authored by Nigerians, for Nigeria, and for a world. Our goal is not cosmetic innovation; it is deep, systemic transformation.”

He commended President Bola Tinubu for using the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration to chart a bold path from consumption to production, from dependence to innovation, especially with the Nigeria’s historic inclusion in the economic alliance of the Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, BRICS, informal grouping of countries that has developed into an intergovernmental organization.

“These are not just policies and partnerships; they are platforms—designed to elevate our homegrown talent, strengthen our sovereignty, and
power a new era of innovation-led development,” he said.

Raji pointed out that the innovators, are the living proof that Nigeria’s greatest resource is not beneath the ground, but within the people.

“The ‘Nigeria First Policy’ is a clarion call to prioritize local solutions for local and global challenges. It is an affirmation that Nigerian ideas matter, Nigerian products are valuable, and Nigerian innovators deserve to lead. You now operate in an ecosystem that is
deliberately being shaped to favour you—with government support, development
financing, and policy reforms aligned to empower indigenous thinkers, builders,
innovators and creators.

“At the same time, Nigeria’s membership of BRICS, opens unprecedented access to global markets—linking you directly to a multilateral bloc that collectively represents over 40% of the world’s population and trillions of dollars in trade and investment flows.

“This is your passport to new partnerships, new funding channels, new export opportunities, and cutting-edge collaboration with fellow innovators across emerging economies.

“But opportunity, no matter how abundant, is only as useful as your readiness to seize it. You must now think beyond prototypes—toward products. Think beyond ideas—toward impact. Think beyond visibility—toward viability and scalability. Build for Nigeria. Design for Africa. Compete for the world.

“Leverage the local content frameworks that prioritize your solutions in public
procurement. Align with the Nigeria First Policy to build credibility and attract
government and private-sector buy-in. Position your innovations to solve real Nigerian problems—energy access, food security, healthcare delivery, education, logistics, fintech, and industrial productivity.

“These are the frontlines where the Renewed Hope Agenda meets real transformation. Do not wait for permission to lead—the door is wide open. Let this be your era of audacity, of excellence and of scales,” Raji advised.

He said the “NBTI is proud to be a vanguard of this vision—building not just systems, but ecosystems; not just pipelines of talent, but platforms for prosperity.”