Sunday Uduma The Director General and CEO of the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji, has announced the agency’s significant achievements and future plans at a world press conference in Abuja.

Dr. Raji, at a world press conference to mark his one-year anniversary, highlighted the agency’s transformation under his leadership, citing the statutory allocation of 4% of the National Development Levy to NBTI, secured under the Tax Reform Acts 2025, as a major milestone.

According to him, “the most historic achievement of this first year is the statutory allocation of FOUR PERCENT (4%) of the National Development Levy to NBTI, secured under the Tax Reform Acts 2025. This is a watershed moment. For the first time in NBTI’s history, the Agency is backed by a predictable, sustainable, and independent revenue framework, reducing dependence on annual budgetary cycles and enabling long-term strategic planning.

“I wish to specially acknowledge and thank Rt. Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, for his exceptional leadership, legislative foresight, and steadfast support. His role was pivotal in translating reform vision into legislative reality. This single policy outcome permanently redefines NBTI’s institutional strength and relevance.

He noted that the Agency has also forged partnerships with institutions in the UK, Canada, USA, Germany, Singapore, China, Qatar, and Azerbaijan, opening pathways for funding, mentorship, and global market access.

Dr. Raji, while unveiling plans for the 2026 NextGen challenge, said it will officially kick-off in February 2026 and a Grand Finale in London, NEXTGEN 2026 will further entrench Nigeria as Africa’s innovation powerhouse. The overarching strategic goal for NEXTGEN 2026 is to mobilise significant capital and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for Nigeria and emerging-market innovators.

The NextGen Innovation Challenge 2026 will prioritise high-impact sectors, including AI, robotics, and green energy, with a grand finale in London. The agency has partnered with the University of Toronto and African Impact Initiatives to support the initiative.

NBTI’s NextGen Innovation Challenge has gained international recognition, with the Commonwealth adopting the model across 56 member countries. Innovate UK has also recognised the challenge as a global talent pipeline, offering fully funded slots to 20 outstanding innovators.

He said the Board will soon launch NBTI Global APP – NATImart, a strategic digital marketplace designed to expand Nigeria’s export capacity and global participation in digital trade and enable Made-in-Nigeria products to reach diaspora and international buyers.

“When fully operational, the platform is projected to facilitate over US$1 billion to US$5 billion in annual transaction volume, with the potential to contribute over US$1 billion or more in value-added economic activity through exports, services, logistics, and digital trade.

In addition to export growth, the platform is expected to support thousands of jobs, strengthen SME participation in global markets, and improve access to international demand for Nigerian talents and products. NBTI Global NATImart represents a shift from innovation programmes to permanent commercial infrastructure, reinforcing NextGen’s role in delivering measurable economic impact beyond events.

Dr. Raji reaffirmed his commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision and the Nigeria First Policy, aiming to create jobs, export solutions, and secure Nigeria’s future. “Through the Renewed Hope Agenda and the landmark Nigeria First Policy, this administration has sent an unmistakable message that Nigeria will no longer outsource its future, that innovation will drive industrialisation, and that technology and ICT will anchor economic sovereignty.

Under President Tinubu’s leadership, innovation is no longer peripheral—it is strategic, central, and non-negotiable. NBTI’s transformation is therefore not accidental; it is presidentially enabled, policy-driven, and nationally inspired.”