The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to positioning innovation at the core of Nigeria’s development strategy, declaring that the nation’s future will be driven by local ingenuity, not foreign dependency.
Speaking at the National Exhibition of the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2025 held at NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja, the Minister applauded the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) and the over 3,000 young innovators who participated in this year’s competition.
Describing the exhibition as a landmark event in Nigeria’s innovation journey, Chief Nnaji stated:
“This is not just an exhibition—it is a national endorsement of our youth and the future of Nigeria. Innovation is no longer peripheral to governance; it is at the centre of our Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The Minister noted that 74 finalists were selected from across Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT, each presenting groundbreaking solutions in areas ranging from clean energy and agri-tech to fintech, AI, and deep-tech.
He praised the participants for their boldness and brilliance, stressing that the country was gradually moving away from a consumption-based economy to one driven by production, creativity, and local content.
Chief Nnaji emphasized that under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Nigeria is investing in digital transformation, science and technology education, and policy reforms that unlock market access and reduce bureaucratic barriers for innovators.
“We will no longer import solutions to problems we can solve ourselves. The Renewed Hope Agenda is about unleashing the innovation of our people and unlocking their full potential,” he said.
The Minister urged the private sector, international development partners, and state governments to invest in homegrown innovators, describing the finalists as “ambassadors of innovation and architects of a new Nigeria.”
He also assured the innovators of the ministry’s support in scaling their products, accessing funding, and navigating regulatory pathways.
“Think beyond visibility—toward viability and scalability. Build for Nigeria, design for Africa, and compete globally,” he challenged the young creators.
Meanwhile, the Director General of NBTI, Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji, described the event as more than a competition, but “a pivotal chapter in Nigeria’s journey—a chapter defined not by natural endowments, but by intellectual assets.”
The showcase drew innovators, investors, development partners, and public officials from across the country. With over 3,000 entries received from all 36 states and the FCT, the Challenge highlighted the ingenuity of Nigerian youths in areas ranging from clean energy and food security to health tech, fintech, and education.
“Our theme, ‘Igniting Indigenous Ingenuity: Nigerian Solutions, Global Impact’, is a bold declaration that Nigeria’s time to lead with innovation is now,” Dr. Raji stated.
He emphasized the significance of the Nigeria First Policy and the country’s new membership in BRICS as game-changing platforms that will expand access to global markets and elevate local solutions to international stages.
“You, the innovators, are living proof that Nigeria’s greatest resource is not beneath the ground—it is within our people,” Dr. Raji told participants.
The DG hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for laying the foundation for economic transformation from consumption to production and for prioritizing technology and innovation in national development.
