By Fatima Saka
The National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) has unveiled plans to provide solar energy solutions to one million micro and small businesses across Nigeria, alongside a proposed ₦30 billion financing package to support the initiative’s first phase.
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NBTI, Dr Kazeem Kolawole Raji, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja while presenting the outcomes of the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2026, held in London, United Kingdom.
Raji said the proposed Tinubu Light Initiative was designed to address unreliable electricity supply and rising energy costs affecting small businesses, many of which depend on petrol and diesel generators to remain operational.
He explained that the programme targets 10,000 field marketers for training and deployment, 50,000 direct youth employment opportunities and approximately ₦12 billion in annual economic benefits, subject to the programme’s assumptions and successful implementation.
According to him, the initiative would prioritise tailors, barbers, hairdressers, pharmacies, restaurants, food vendors, printing businesses, retailers, point-of-sale operators, women-owned enterprises and youth-led businesses.
He said access to affordable solar solutions could reduce operating expenses, extend business hours, improve productivity and strengthen the capacity of small enterprises to create jobs.
Raji added that the initiative would also explore opportunities to promote business formalisation and financial inclusion by helping informal enterprises establish credit histories where appropriate arrangements could be developed.
The NBTI chief executive, however, stressed that the programme’s success would depend on sustainable financing, transparent beneficiary selection, reliable equipment, maintenance arrangements and effective monitoring.
He said the board would collaborate with relevant government institutions, financial partners, private-sector operators and development organisations to advance the initiative.
Beyond the solar programme, Raji disclosed that NBTI was pursuing more than $600 million in proposed investment and development-finance opportunities to strengthen Nigeria’s innovation and clean-energy sectors.
He identified a proposed $500 million solar-energy investment programme being discussed with Gigawatt Global to develop solar farms across Nigerian universities and polytechnics under Power Purchase Agreements.
The second opportunity is a proposed $100 million financing arrangement linked to the Tinubu Light Initiative, supported by a Memorandum of Understanding between NBTI and Financial Innovation for Impact, UK, also known as Cambridge Investors.
He said the proposed investments could improve electricity access in participating tertiary institutions, support renewable-energy infrastructure and advance Nigeria’s clean-energy objectives.
Raji clarified that the figures represented proposed investment and financing opportunities, not funds already received or disbursed.
He explained that their realisation would depend on due diligence, financing arrangements, contractual commitments, regulatory approvals and implementation requirements.
The director-general said NBTI’s responsibility was to help translate the proposals into viable projects with transparent processes and measurable outcomes.
Presenting the results of the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2026, Raji said the programme showcased 298 Nigerian innovators from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, up from 105 participants in 2025.
The challenge, organised by NBTI in partnership with UKALD, brought together Nigerian innovators, international investors, diplomats, business leaders and development partners at its grand finale on October 9 at the Platinum Suite, ExCeL London.
He said the programme was designed to connect indigenous technologies with international markets, attract investment and strengthen the commercialisation of Nigerian innovations.
The showcased innovations covered artificial intelligence, robotics, agriculture, healthcare, education, renewable energy, telecommunications, digital technology, enterprise software, 3D printing and advanced manufacturing.
Raji said the next phase would focus on helping innovators transform their ideas into commercially viable businesses capable of generating employment, improving productivity and addressing national development challenges.
He also disclosed that Dubai-based investor Erin Grover had announced a $100,000 investment commitment to support three women innovators.
According to him, the commitment could strengthen women-led enterprises through improved access to finance, mentorship, professional networks and business-development support.
He said the priority would be to translate the announcement into documented investment arrangements and measurable benefits for the selected entrepreneurs.
The challenge also provided international accelerator opportunities for 16 selected innovators to undertake training in Finland, Estonia, Poland and Abu Dhabi.
The opportunities, announced by Dr Mazin Gadir, were valued at approximately $10,000 per innovator, representing a stated aggregate value of $160,000.
The selected projects span agriculture, healthcare, artificial intelligence, education, clean energy, digital technology and enterprise solutions.
Raji said the international exposure would help the innovators strengthen their business models, improve investor readiness, establish commercial partnerships and explore new markets.
He added that the Learning and Development Bureau UK had offered scholarships to the 16 innovators for a Pre-MBA Level 7 Award in Strategic Leadership and Management.
Represented by Professor Langley and Dr Obe, the bureau valued each scholarship at more than £5,000, bringing the combined value to over £80,000.
The bureau also pledged assistance with applications for the United Kingdom’s Global Talent Visa, subject to individual eligibility and applicable immigration requirements.
Raji said leadership and management training were essential to helping innovators build sustainable enterprises, manage finances, develop teams, protect intellectual property and attract investment.
He called on Nigerian and international investors, financial institutions, corporate organisations, universities, research institutions and development partners to deepen their engagement with the country’s innovation ecosystem.
The NBTI chief executive said innovators needed more than public recognition, emphasising the importance of investment, technical mentorship, manufacturing capacity, market access, distribution networks and intellectual-property support.
He also urged prospective investors to assess opportunities individually and conduct appropriate due diligence before committing resources.
Raji called on the media to continue reporting on Nigerian innovation while scrutinising implementation, accountability and measurable results.
He said NBTI would prioritise advancing investment opportunities, supporting the commercialisation of innovations, tracking employment outcomes and ensuring that international partnerships delivered practical benefits.
According to him, the institution’s performance should ultimately be measured by the number of sustainable businesses created, capital mobilised, jobs generated and products brought to market.
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He stressed that the next phase of the initiative must move beyond announcements and international visibility to implementation and verifiable outcomes.
“We must turn exposure into market access, partnerships into implementation, innovation into enterprise, enterprise into employment, and investment opportunities into productive economic activity,” Raji said.
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