…Seeks Global Investment For Nigerian Innovation And Enterprise
The National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) has showcased 298 Nigerian innovators from the country’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to international investors and potential business partners in London, United Kingdom, as part of efforts to commercialise indigenous technologies and expand access to global markets.
The innovators participated in the 2026 NextGen Innovation Challenge international grand finale, which brought together entrepreneurs, investors, government officials, diplomatic representatives and other stakeholders to explore opportunities for investment, technology development and international collaboration.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NBTI said innovation, entrepreneurship and technology commercialisation were essential to Nigeria’s ambition of building a one-trillion-dollar economy.
He said the country’s future prosperity could not depend solely on government or natural resources, but required Nigerians to develop technologies, manufacture products, establish businesses and compete in international markets.
“A one-trillion-dollar economy cannot be built by government alone. It must be built by Nigerians who innovate, Nigerians who manufacture, Nigerians who invest, Nigerians who create intellectual property, Nigerians who build enterprises, and Nigerians who compete successfully in the global markets,” he said.
The NBTI chief said the NextGen Innovation Challenge was designed to bridge the gap between ideas and commercial opportunities by connecting innovators with investors, business partners and international markets.
He disclosed that the number of Nigerian innovators participating in the London showcase had increased from 105 at the previous edition to 298 this year.
According to him, the initiative reflects efforts to move indigenous research and innovation from prototypes to marketable products, viable businesses, employment generation and economic growth.
He also commended the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian High Commission in the United Kingdom, the British High Commission and strategic partner UKALD for supporting the initiative.
The Director-General praised NBTI staff and technology incubation centre managers across the country for identifying, mentoring and supporting innovators.
He said the ultimate measure of the programme would be the businesses established, technologies commercialised, investments secured, jobs created and lives improved.
“Today is a celebration, but tomorrow is the real test,” he said, urging participants to build, commercialise, scale and collaborate to take Nigerian innovation to the global marketplace.
In a keynote address delivered on behalf of Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu, Ambassador Abu Obey Eche described the event as an opportunity to present Nigeria’s innovation potential to the world.
He said the United Kingdom’s position as a major centre for finance, technology, research and enterprise made London a suitable platform for Nigerian innovators seeking investors and international business partners.
“Diplomacy today must go beyond governments speaking to governments. It must also connect businesses to markets, innovators to investors, researchers to institutions, and Nigerian opportunities to global capital,” he said.
Eche said the Nigerian High Commission was committed to strengthening relationships that would enable local innovators to access international opportunities.
He also highlighted the contribution of Nigerians in the diaspora, urging them to deploy their expertise, financial resources and understanding of international markets to support emerging entrepreneurs at home.
The envoy commended the Federal Government, NBTI and UKALD for developing a platform that connects grassroots innovators with potential global partners.
He further highlighted the prospect of extending the NextGen Innovation Challenge to other Commonwealth countries, describing wider international collaboration as an opportunity for Nigeria to contribute to global innovation and enterprise.
Eche said the innovations on display demonstrated how Nigerians were transforming problems into ideas, technologies and businesses with the potential to create jobs and attract investment.
An investor, Ms. Erin Grover, said she was impressed by the innovations and entrepreneurial ideas presented at the event, particularly those developed by women.
Grover, who said she had worked with startups and nonprofit organisations across Africa and Asia, expressed interest in investing in at least one of the women entrepreneurs she encountered during the showcase.
“I think there are some inspiring women here especially who I’ve been able to speak with today, and I definitely hope to invest in at least one of them coming out of this event,” she said.
Drawing on her experience as an entrepreneur, she encouraged participants to remain persistent, believe in their ideas and learn from mistakes.
“My one piece of unsolicited advice is to just never give up ever, be persistent as hell, keep going,” she said.
Grover also urged innovators to maintain strong support networks, remain positive and continue pursuing their goals despite the challenges associated with building businesses.
Her remarks underscored the importance of connecting entrepreneurs, especially women-led businesses, with investors who can provide the resources and partnerships needed to expand their operations.
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in the United Kingdom and Executive Director of UKALD, Hon. Tunde Doherty, described the NextGen Innovation Challenge as an opportunity to demonstrate the potential of Nigerian innovation to international investors.
Doherty said the 298 innovations presented at the event offered investors opportunities to support products with commercial potential rather than simply finance untested ideas.
He urged investors to consider Nigeria as a destination for technology and enterprise investment, noting that the country had the human resources and creative capacity to develop globally competitive solutions.
He also commended NBTI for expanding the programme and bringing young innovators to the United Kingdom to connect with investors and potential partners.
Doherty expressed optimism that Nigeria could strengthen its position in global technology and investment, encouraging stakeholders to support entrepreneurs capable of turning their ideas into commercially successful businesses.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Mukhtar Muhammad, commended the NBTI leadership for expanding the innovation showcase and creating opportunities for young Nigerians.
Muhammad described the initiative as an important way to encourage young people to apply their knowledge and creativity to solving practical problems.
He said innovation was not limited to academic qualifications, but involved identifying challenges in society and developing workable solutions.
“If there is a problem in the society and you identify that problem and you try to solve it, you are making more impact to the society than someone who is doing several degrees in university,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary pledged increased support from the ministry for the initiative in the coming year, while proposing that states could be encouraged to organise their own processes for identifying promising innovators.
He said such an approach would encourage competition, expand opportunities for young people and help identify more promising technologies across the country.
Muhammad also commended the innovators for their persistence and hard work, noting that developing original solutions often required repeated efforts and long hours of work.
The event featured contributions from government officials, investors, diplomatic representatives and other partners committed to strengthening Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.
The NBTI Director-General acknowledged the work of the programme’s judges, researchers, technical teams and international partners, particularly UKALD, for helping connect Nigerian innovators with investment opportunities.
He said the initiative was intended to establish lasting connections between Nigerian ideas and global markets, enabling homegrown technologies to attract capital and grow into sustainable enterprises.
The 2026 showcase builds on the previous edition, which brought 105 Nigerian innovators to London. This year’s participation of 298 innovators reflects the programme’s expansion and its focus on connecting local talent with international opportunities.
The organisers’ stated ambition is to ensure that the platform produces tangible results beyond the event, including new businesses, commercial partnerships, investment deals, job creation and increased access to global markets for Nigerian innovations.
