The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to unlocking the creative potential of young Nigerians and building an inclusive, innovation-driven economy that rewards bold ideas and enterprise.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, made the declaration on Tuesday at the National Exhibition of the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2025 in Abuja. The event, themed “Unveiling Nigeria’s Future through Innovation,” was organized by the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI).
Describing the exhibition as a practical expression of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nnaji said the administration is determined to stop Nigeria’s dependence on foreign solutions, and instead harness local ingenuity.
“This event is not just an exhibition—it is a manifestation of our national resolve. President Tinubu has made it clear: Nigeria will no longer import solutions to problems we have the capacity to solve,” Nnaji stated.
He added, “We will unleash the innovation of our people, unlock the potential of our youth, and build an inclusive economy that rewards ideas, enterprise, and courage.”
According to the minister, innovation is now central to governance and national development under the current administration. He listed investments in digital transformation, expansion of science and technology education, and reforms in the innovation ecosystem to reduce red tape and expand access to capital, mentorship, and markets.
Highlighting the scope of the Challenge, Nnaji disclosed that over 3,000 innovation entries were submitted from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). From this pool, 74 finalists emerged—each representing a promising step toward solving Nigeria’s real-world challenges.
“To each finalist: your selection is not only a personal milestone—it is a national endorsement of your capacity to move us forward,” he said.
Nnaji called on private sector stakeholders and international partners to invest in Nigeria’s emerging innovators, noting, “What you see today is just a glimpse of what Nigeria has to offer.”
Earlier, Director General of NBTI, Dr. Kazeem Raji, described the 2025 NextGen Innovation Challenge as a transformative platform designed to amplify Nigerian ingenuity and export local solutions to global markets.
“The theme for this national showcase,‘Igniting Indigenous Ingenuity: Nigerian Solutions, Global Impact’, is more than a slogan. It is a declaration that Nigeria’s time to lead with innovation is now,” he said.
Raji explained that the Challenge began with a spark at its May 28 launch at the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Abuja, and has since grown into a nationwide movement.
He praised President Tinubu for championing a shift from consumption to production, emphasizing the significance of Nigeria’s recent inclusion in BRICS—a strategic alliance of emerging economies comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
“These are not just policy moves; they are platforms for sovereignty, growth, and innovation-led development,” Raji noted.
He urged the finalists to see themselves not only as innovators, but as nation-builders and global competitors.
“Think beyond prototypes to products. Beyond ideas to impact. Beyond visibility to viability and scale,” he charged.
“Build for Nigeria. Design for Africa. Compete globally.”
According to Raji, Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem is being reshaped through government support, development financing, and policy alignment with the Nigeria First Policy, aimed at prioritizing local content and indigenous solutions.
He said the country’s BRICS membership provides unprecedented access to global markets, trade partnerships, and collaborative opportunities with fellow innovators across emerging economies.
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“Opportunity is only as valuable as your readiness to seize it,” he told participants. “Let this be your era of audacity, of excellence, and of scale.”
Raji concluded by reaffirming NBTI’s commitment to nurturing ecosystems that not only produce talent but create prosperity—adding that Nigerian innovation is ready for the world stage.
