2025: NBTI Through the Lens of History
By Otunba Wole Badmus
In the life of every individual, group, organization or society, there comes a defining moment. Such moments mark turning points that reshape direction, purpose and outcomes. They represent major shifts in vision, structure and impact.
Nigeria’s political history offers a clear example. The June 12, 1993 presidential election remains a defining watershed. On that day, Nigerians boldly expressed their collective resolve for genuine democracy, rejecting the military dictatorship that dominated the era.
The struggles that followed laid the foundation for the uninterrupted civil rule the nation has enjoyed since 1999. It is therefore fitting that the presumed winner of that election, Chief MKO Abiola, was posthumously awarded the nation’s highest honour, GCFR, and that June 12 was formally recognized as Democracy Day.
In a similar vein, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ushered in a new era of economic reform in Nigeria. No previous administration had so directly and comprehensively confronted the deep rooted inefficiencies, leakages and excesses associated with public expenditure like him. Today, there is a clear shift in government spending and economic management. Tax reforms, fuel subsidy removal, the floating of the naira and other far reaching policy measures have redefined the nation’s economic direction in unprecedented ways.
Beyond fiscal reforms, President Tinubu has also placed deliberate emphasis on technology as a key driver of economic growth, moving Nigeria away from its long standing dependence on a mono oil economy toward a knowledge driven and innovation based future.
It is within this broader national context that the appointment of Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji as Director General/CEO of the National Board for Technology Incubation on 20th January 2025, marked a historic turning point in the life of the Agency.
The once unknown federal agency was infused with renewed purpose, vigor, visibility and relevance. His appointment stands as a major watershed in the history of the agency.
Dr. Raji assumed office with a clear vision to reposition and strengthen the agency as a catalyst for job creation, wealth generation and economic transformation.
Central to this vision was the commercialization of research outputs and innovative products emerging from the Technology Incubation Centres across the Nation.
This approach aims to boost local production, reduce import dependence and deepen industrial capacity.
His strategy also includes the establishment of world class technology parks and hubs across the country to nurture startups and post incubation entrepreneurs in high impact sectors such as information and communication technology, renewable energy, agritech, edutech, health-tech, biotechnology and manufacturing.
In addition, the expansion of international collaborations was prioritized to attract funding, technical expertise and access to global markets for Nigerian innovators.
He also created stronger linkages between research institutions, industries and technology incubators. This is to ensure that innovation remains demand driven and commercially viable.
Digital transformation was equally leveraged to improve incubation processes while providing entrepreneurs with access to business development services, funding opportunities and mentorship.
These initiatives align seamlessly with Mr President’s strategic vision of creating an enabling environment for industrial growth and technological advancement, positioning innovation as a key pillar of national prosperity in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda and Nigeria First Policy of Mr President.
To drive this agenda, Dr. Raji focused on strengthening and energizing the workforce through staff motivation and human capital development.
Forming strategic alliances with critical institutions to promote innovation, empower entrepreneurs and unlock new frontiers.
A deliberate shift from purely indigenous technology toward emerging global technologies was also introduced, with the aim of positioning Nigeria as a global innovation hub across key sectors.
Since assuming office, the Dr. Raji-led administration has entered into several strategic partnerships, both locally and internationally. Notable collaborations include:
. High Tech Centre, which fosters research commercialization and advanced innovation.
. UKALD leads the UK-Nigeria Tech Innovation Expo, engaging over sixty five million youths.
.TECHHOOD provides expertise in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement and grant mobilization.
.The High Tech Centre for Nigerian Women and Youth to promotes youth and women participation in innovation.
. Envision Management Solutions expands global opportunities for entrepreneurs.
. Federal Polytechnic Offa supports indigenous innovation and youth empowerment.
. Aerosky Technologies Limited spearheads Nigeria’s drone technology drive under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
. Navigation 360 Foundation enhances grassroots participation in incubation programs.
. The National Directorate of Employment to promotes inclusive growth and tackles unemployment.
. Constituents for Development Initiatives to drive indigenous technology development.
. Ecoflux Nigeria Limited advances entrepreneurship through a national hackathon.
. Seyi Tinubu’s Campus Technovation empowers youth within the technology and innovation ecosystem.
One of the most outstanding achievements of the agency in the year 2025 is the successful conduct of the NextGen Innovation Challenge, a legacy project conceived under the leadership of Dr. Raji in collaboration with UKALD, a United Kingdom based consulting firm.
Officially launched on May 28, 2025 at the Raw Materials Research and Development Council in Abuja, the initiative seeks to unlock the vast creative potential of Nigerian youth, particularly those from underserved grassroots communities across the 774 local government areas.
The National Showcase, held on July 9, 2025 at the Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja, featured one hundred and five exceptional finalists representing all thirty six states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The Global Showcase, tagged the Grand Finale, followed on October 9, 2025 at the Hilton Hotel in Paddington, London where One hundred and five Nigerian innovators presented scalable and investment ready solutions at the event.
Two major digital platforms were launched during the Grand finale:
NATIMART, a global digital marketplace connecting innovators with investors and venture capitalists and
NBTI Classroom, a free digital learning hub offering mentorship, certification and training for emerging inventors and changemakers.
The highlight of the event was the announcement of Al’amin Mohammed Idris, Chief Executive Officer of Interface Africa from Kaduna State, as the overall winner of the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2025.
He received a cash award of £1.5 million, equivalent to over three billion naira, for his innovative solar financing model for small businesses across Africa.
The far reaching impact of the NextGen innovation challenge initiative is evident in its adoption by the Commonwealth of Nations as a model for driving inclusive growth across its fifty six member states.
Expectations are already high for an even more expansive and impactful 2026 edition.
Another major milestone recorded under Dr. Raji’s leadership was the successful allocation of four percent from the National Development Levy to the agency through the 2025 Tax Reform Act passed by the National Assembly.
This achievement reflects the Director General’s strategic leadership, political engagement and effective executive collaboration.
Equally commendable is the development and deployment of the NBTI Promotion Automation System, which has significantly enhanced staff capacity and institutional efficiency.
The system is a secured web based platform that integrates all promotion related processes into a single workspace.
It covers performance evaluations, promotional examinations, recommendations and rewards processing, eligibility verification, as well as appeal tracking and reporting.
Overall, 2025 stands out as a year of remarkable activities and achievements for the National Board for Technology Incubation.
Under the leadership of Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji, the agency has entered a defining phase in its institutional journey.
Indeed, it has been a true watershed in the life of the organization.
Otunba Wole Badmus writes from Abuja.
