The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), Dr. Kazeem Kolawole, has declared youth innovation as the key to unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential.
Speaking at the official launch of the NextGen Innovation Challenge Portal in Abuja, Dr. Kolawole emphasized the urgent need to empower young Nigerians through inclusive, grassroots-driven innovation initiatives.
“With 70% of our population under the age of 35, Nigeria is sitting on a goldmine of talent,” he said. “If you look at the fintech and tech ecosystems globally, Nigerians are leading the charge—many of them are products of our education system and our challenges. What they’ve lacked is structured opportunity. The NextGen portal provides that.”
The NextGen Innovation Challenge aims to engage youth across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas by allowing them to submit innovative ideas in over 50 key sectors.
These include health, agriculture, education, climate solutions, and digital infrastructure. Submissions must be practical and defendable, with guidelines clearly outlined on the platform.
Dr. Kolawole noted that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its emphasis on using technology to “drain water from the driveway”—a metaphor he linked to solving national problems through innovation.
He assured participants that all entries will be protected under Nigeria’s intellectual property laws. The NBTI, in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), has created a framework for patent registration and idea protection.
“We understand concerns about intellectual theft,” he said. “But this system is robust. We’ve engaged the Trademark Registry, WIPO, and NOTAP to ensure ideas are safe and protected.”
Inclusion and mentorship are also cornerstones of the program. Dr. Kolawole emphasized that education level is not a barrier. The portal offers mentorship for innovators with limited formal education but promising ideas, with special provisions for uneducated or semi-literate youth through digital literacy support and age-based classification.
“Some of the world’s greatest innovators didn’t complete formal education. What matters is your idea and how you defend it. Everyone—from university graduates to grassroots talents—has a seat at this table,” he stressed.
The initiative has also drawn international support. The British High Commission was represented by Wendy Shepherd, Second Secretary for Political Affairs, while the 130th Lord Mayor of Leeds, UK, Abigail Marshall-Katung, who recently hosted the NextGen team in the UK, delivered a stirring endorsement.
“I was moved by the fact that this program touches all 774 LGAs. It’s a powerful platform for showcasing Nigerian brilliance. Every young person has a shot, and that’s extraordinary,” Marshall-Katung said. “If the environment is right, Nigerian youth will thrive. This initiative creates that environment.”
Dr. Kolawole urged state governors and local leaders to support and sponsor youth from their regions, especially as the top innovators per state will have the chance to travel abroad to showcase their solutions.
“No state or LGA will be left behind,” he said. “We want this initiative to touch every corner of Nigeria. The top 37 innovators will represent our nation on a global stage in London, and we’re calling on stakeholders to support them.”
Representing the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Mr. Robert Ugwo, Special Adviser on Administration, said the portal marks a new era where innovation becomes a norm rather than an exception.
“The ministry is committed to creating a platform for creativity to flourish. NextGen is not just a project—it’s a movement toward making innovation part of our national culture,” Ugwo stated. “This portal is more than a tool; it is a gateway for transforming innovation into a national habit and way of life,” Ugwo stated.
International support has also been pledged. The British High Commission was represented at the launch by Wendy Shepherd, Second Secretary, Political Affairs, while the 130th Lord Mayor of Leeds, UK, Abigail Marshall-Katung, expressed admiration for the inclusive approach of the initiative.
“I was touched by the reach of this challenge across all 774 LGAs. It is a powerful opportunity for Nigerian youth, regardless of background, to show the world what they are capable of,” Marshall-Katung said, referencing a recent presentation she received from NextGen during a UK infrastructure and investment forum.