The National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) has launched the Tinubu Light Initiative (TLI), a nationwide programme designed to provide affordable renewable energy solutions to one million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), while creating over 50,000 direct jobs and boosting Nigeria’s innovation-driven economy.

The initiative was officially unveiled on Thursday in Abuja by the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NBTI, Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji, during the National Showcase of the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2026.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Raji described the launch as a defining moment in Nigeria’s journey toward becoming a leading innovation-driven economy, saying the country must increasingly rely on the creativity, resilience and entrepreneurial capacity of its people rather than its natural resources.

He said the Tinubu Light Initiative would address one of the biggest challenges facing Nigerian businesses by providing affordable clean energy through innovative financing models, strategic partnerships and renewable energy technologies.

According to him, the programme aims to lower production costs for businesses, encourage local manufacturing, improve industrial productivity, accelerate financial inclusion, reduce carbon emissions and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness across Africa.

Dr. Raji noted that beyond electrification, the initiative is also an industrial policy, employment strategy, poverty reduction programme and climate action initiative intended to stimulate inclusive economic growth.

The NBTI boss also highlighted the achievements of the NextGen Innovation Challenge, describing it as one of Africa’s most impactful innovation platforms. He said the programme has evolved into a national ecosystem that identifies innovators, nurtures entrepreneurs, attracts investors and supports the commercialisation of indigenous technologies.

He disclosed that one of the beneficiaries of the inaugural 2025 edition secured an investment commitment of £1.5 million, demonstrating that Nigerian innovations can attract significant global investment when properly supported.

According to him, innovations emerging from the programme are already improving agricultural productivity, creating jobs and providing practical solutions to socio-economic challenges in different parts of the country.

Dr. Raji further said the 2026 edition attracted thousands of applications from innovators across sectors including renewable energy, agriculture, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, healthcare, manufacturing, education, financial technology, climate technology and industrial engineering.

He stressed that Nigeria’s challenge has never been a shortage of ideas but the absence of a robust ecosystem to nurture innovations into globally competitive enterprises.

The NBTI Director-General also acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, attributing the agency’s renewed drive to the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Nigeria First Policy, which he said have strengthened innovation, entrepreneurship, industrialisation and indigenous production.

He also commended the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Barrister Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN, as well as NBTI staff, international partners including UKALD, the British High Commission and the Commonwealth Secretariat for supporting the country’s innovation ecosystem.

Calling on investors, development partners and entrepreneurs to support Nigerian innovators, Dr. Raji said the NextGen Innovation Challenge and the Tinubu Light Initiative represent a national movement to unlock talent, empower enterprise, create wealth and accelerate Nigeria’s industrial transformation.