Nigeria is set to make a bold statement on the global innovation stage as the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) prepares to showcase 105 groundbreaking Nigerian innovations at the Grand Finale of the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2025, scheduled for October 9 in London.
Speaking at a world press conference held Thursday in Abuja, Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji, Director General/CEO of NBTI, described the initiative as a transformative effort to position Nigeria as a leader in global innovation, technology development, and entrepreneurship.
“The NextGen Innovation Challenge is not merely a competition—it is a national movement,” Raji said. “It’s a strategic, coordinated push to connect grassroots ingenuity with global capital and catalyse a new generation of visionary, solutions-driven Nigerian entrepreneurs.”
Innovative Solutions Across Critical Sectors
From over 3,000 entries, the top 105 innovators were selected following a rigorous screening process led by Prof. Hari Mohan of London South Bank University, ensuring that only globally competitive and impact-driven ideas advanced to the finale.
The finalists will pitch their ideas to a global audience of investors, policymakers, tech leaders, and development partners at the Hilton London Paddington. The showcased innovations span HealthTech, AgriTech, FinTech, Clean Energy, Artificial Intelligence, IoT, and more.
Highlights of the innovations include Bra-X, a smart wearable for early breast cancer detection; a multi-patient ventilator designed to support up to six patients simultaneously; AI-powered drones for precision agriculture; affordable clean energy solutions for underserved communities and next-gen FinTech tools for inclusive financial access.
Explaining the rationale behind hosting the grand finale in London, Dr. Raji said the city offers an unmatched platform for exposure to venture capital, diaspora investors, policy influencers, and European innovation ecosystems.
“London is a global capital for innovation. It provides the visibility and connectivity that Nigerian startups need to scale their impact globally,” Raji said.
The event will also feature a consortium showcase of strategic projects such as the $1 billion Innovate Africa Israel/BIPVco Solar Project, alongside discussions on global partnerships and co-investment opportunities.
Strong Government and Institutional Support
Raji expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for endorsing the initiative under the Renewed Hope Agenda, which he said has re-energized the country’s innovation ecosystem and empowered young Nigerians to compete on the world stage.
He also acknowledged the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, for policy backing, and thanked the British High Commission in Nigeria for expediting visa processing for all innovators.
A special commendation went to Chief Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, for offering discounted and complimentary flights to support the innovators’ travel to London.
Expanding Nigeria’s Global Innovation Footprint
Looking beyond the 2025 showcase, NBTI announced plans to launch the NBTI Global App, a digital platform aimed at connecting Nigerian innovators with diaspora investors, incubators, and international markets.
“We are not just exporting talent—we are exporting solutions from Africa to the world,” Dr. Raji said. “The NextGen Innovation Challenge marks Nigeria’s innovation renaissance, and we will not stop until our youth have a seat at every global innovation table.
