Meet Toscad’s MAN OF THE WEEK: Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji

…We Will Establish NBTI Technology Parks, Hubs in The Six Geo-political Zones of the Country.

…through commitment, innovation, strategic collaboration, we will build a technologically driven, corruption-free, prosperous Nigeria

The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Board for Technology Incubation, NBTI Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji says his vision is to ensure the establishment of Technology Parks and Hubs in all the six geopolitical zones of the Country—or ideally, in every state of Nigeria—to support incubatees as they graduate into thriving technology enterprises.

In an exclusive interview with toscanews.com in Abuja , Dr. Raji explained that the goal of his team was to to build some of the best technology hubs in Africa, propelling Nigeria to compete with the world’s leading innovation ecosystems.

Dr. Raji stressed that such targets were part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“My vision for NBTI is to establish Technology Parks and Hubs in all six geopolitical zones of the nation to support incubatees as they graduate into thriving technology enterprises”.

“Our goal is to build some of the best technology hubs in Africa, propelling Nigeria to compete with the world’s leading innovation ecosystems”.

“With Nigeria’s recent admission into the BRICS nations, it’s clear that we are ready to transition from a developing economy to a global powerhouse”.

“Technology will be at the core of this transformation, and NBTI is committed to leading the charge by nurturing innovation, creating jobs, and driving sustainable economic growth”.

“Together, through commitment, innovation, and strategic collaboration, we will build a technologically driven, corruption-free, and prosperous Nigeria”.

Enjoy the rest of the interview…

Toscadnews:
What does Technology Incubation and Economic Growth entail? How has the NBTI contributed to Nigeria’s economic development through technology incubation, and what impact has it had on startups and SMEs?

Dr. Kolawole Raji:
Technology incubation, in line with the mandate of the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), involves driving technological innovation, commercializing research and development (R&D), and fostering entrepreneurship in Nigeria. This process fuels economic growth by transforming ideas and research into market-ready products and sustainable businesses.
NBTI has significantly impacted Nigeria’s economy by supporting startups and SMEs to become competitive in both local and international markets. A testament to this success is the recent achievement of one of our incubatees, Mr. Abdulateef Olaosebikan, who won the $1,000,000 Zayed Sustainability Prize in the solar food category in Abu Dhabi, competing against 5,980 global contenders.
Moreover, the annual turnover of some of our graduates from the Technology Incubation Centre (TIC) in Ilorin, Kwara State, reached ₦5.4 billion and ₦1.2 billion respectively in 2024. These are just a few examples among many thriving enterprises across the nation.

Toscadnews:
What are the major challenges facing technology incubation in Nigeria, and how is the NBTI addressing them?

Dr. Kolawole Raji:
While there are multiple challenges, our resolve remains unwavering. A primary challenge is the lack of Technology Incubation Parks and Hubs, which would enable us to nurture more incubatees and entrepreneurs. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is already taking deliberate steps to address this, demonstrating strong support for innovation.
Another critical challenge is standardized packaging, which is essential for international competitiveness. NBTI is actively collaborating with regulatory agencies like the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to enhance product packaging and quality. We also provide continuous orientation and training for our entrepreneurs to meet global standards.

Toscadnews:
How supportive is the Nigerian government in funding and promoting technology incubation, and what policy reforms do you think are necessary to enhance innovation?

Dr. Kolawole Raji:
The Federal Government of Nigeria, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been highly supportive, demonstrating a commitment to youth empowerment and innovation. The President understands that with the right opportunities, Nigerian entrepreneurs can excel.
To enhance innovation, there is a need to elevate Executive Orders 003 and 005 into acts of parliament, strengthening local content development and promoting indigenous technological solutions. This will further solidify the framework for sustainable economic growth and technological advancement.

Toscadnews:
Many research projects in Nigeria do not get commercialized. How is the NBTI working to ensure that research innovations reach the market?

Dr. Kolawole Raji:
At NBTI, commercializing research and development (R&D) is part of our core mandate. We are dedicated to ensuring that any research project with clear market potential is developed into a viable product.
To support this, we are implementing a robust legal framework to protect the intellectual property rights of researchers. We also offer a conducive environment with state-of-the-art facilities and expert support to bridge the gap between research and commercialization. Our partnerships with universities, research institutes, and independent innovators reinforce this mission.

Toscadnews:
What role does the private sector play in technology incubation, and how can private investors be encouraged to support tech startups?

Dr. Kolawole Raji:
The private sector is a critical partner in technology incubation. Through investments, mentorship, and strategic collaborations, private companies help convert innovations and research into market-ready products.
We encourage private investors by demonstrating the high return on investment (ROI) in tech startups, supported by Nigeria’s vast market of over 230 million people. The Federal Government also provides a secure investment climate with strong legal protections to boost investor confidence.

Toscadnews:
With the rise of AI, blockchain, and other emerging technologies, how is the NBTI preparing Nigerian startups to compete globally?

Dr. Kolawole Raji:
Nigerian youth are brimming with innovative ideas and potential. NBTI is committed to providing the right environment and institutional support to help these ideas thrive.
Traditionally focused on electromechanical innovation, NBTI is now expanding its scope to include AI, IoT, blockchain, and digital solutions. Leveraging my background in telecommunications and satellite technology, we are integrating cutting-edge digital frameworks and have signed an MoU with the Kwara State Government to collaborate and support a world-class incubation hub.

Toscadnews:
What is your vision for the future of the NBTI, and what key initiatives should Nigerians expect in the coming years to foster technological advancement?

Dr. Kolawole Raji:
My vision for NBTI is to establish Technology Parks and Hubs in all six geopolitical zones—or ideally, in every state of Nigeria—to support incubatees as they graduate into thriving technology enterprises. Our goal is to build some of the best technology hubs in Africa, propelling Nigeria to compete with the world’s leading innovation ecosystems.
With Nigeria’s recent admission into the BRICS nations, it’s clear that we are ready to transition from a developing economy to a global powerhouse. Technology will be at the core of this transformation, and NBTI is committed to leading the charge by nurturing innovation, creating jobs, and driving sustainable economic growth.
Together, through commitment, innovation, and strategic collaboration, we will build a technologically driven, corruption-free, and prosperous Nigeria.

PROFILE

DIRECTOR GENERAL/CEO, NATIONAL BOARD FOR TECHNOLOGY INCUBATION, ABUJA

ENGR. KAZEEM KOLAWOLE RAJI- BSC, MSC, MSC, MBA, NCE, PGD, PHD, FCIPM-UK, FPMA-UK.

Engr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji is a distinguished figure in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry and ICT ecosystem. The Nigerian telecommunications sector continues to thrive, with both private and public organizations driving innovative ideas and policies to expand its landscape. Amidst the numerous players in this industry, Engr. Raji stands out as a constant beacon of excellence, with achievements recognized by key industry stakeholders.

Since joining the telecommunications industry over 25 years ago, Engr. Raji has served in various capacities as a Senior Business Executive. He has gained extensive hands-on experience in business management, executive leadership, and collaborations with boards of directors, government agencies, financial institutions, and legal professionals. His areas of expertise include mobile telecommunications, space research, satellite communications networks, radio frequency planning and optimization, radio communications and spectrum management, technology incubation, innovation and startups, strategic leadership, system development, and project management.

In September 2017, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Engr. Raji as the Executive Director (Technical Services) at the Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd (NIGCOMSAT). In this role, he managed and operated the first-ever communications satellite in sub-Saharan Africa. Prior to this, he held pivotal positions in multinational telecommunications companies in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

Earlier in his career, Engr. Raji was one of the pioneer staff members at MTN Nigeria Communications Limited, where he served for over 12 years. He rose to the position of Head of MTN Radio Frequency Planning/RF Planning Manager for the 19 northern states, headquartered in Abuja, after serving in the Lagos and Ibadan regions. He also worked as Director of ICT/Telecommunications at Dermo Impex, an Italian technology company that implemented the Basic Registry and Information Systems in Nigeria (BRISIN), a Federal Government project domiciled in the Presidency. Additionally, he spent four years with the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) in the ICT department before transitioning to the private sector.

While in the United Kingdom, Engr. Raji worked with O2 Mobile/WFI LTD as a Radio Frequency Planning and Optimization Engineer, covering locations such as Salford, Manchester, Croydon, Hatfield, and Newcastle. Later, he became Chief Technical Officer of Merit Telecoms.

With over 25 years of professional experience, he is a Radio Frequency Planning and Optimization Consultant specializing in GSM Radio Networks, WiMAX, Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G/LTE, 5G, and satellite networks. He has worked with several Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), including Ericsson, Huawei, Nokia, Nortel, Newtec, Gilat, and iDirect. Engr. Raji is an MBA-qualified engineer with a proven track record in enterprise growth and business optimization.

As Executive Director (Technical Services) at NIGCOMSAT, Engr. Raji engaged with global leaders in satellite manufacturing and operations, including MDA/SSL of Canada and the USA, Lockheed Martin, China Great Wall, Airbus USA, ViaSat USA, Turksat, SES, Avanti, Intelsat, Thales Alenia Space of France, Arabsat, ABS Satellite, and AMOS SpaceCom of Israel.

He attended the launch of the AMOS-17 Satellite, the first communications satellite with a digital channelizer, owned by AMOS SpaceCom of Israel. The launch took place in August 2019 at Cape Canaveral, Orlando, Florida, USA. Engr. Raji has also participated in key international events, including ITU conferences in Geneva, Switzerland; ESOA Satellite conferences and workshops in Belgium; CTO forums in London; and training sessions in the USA, UK, China, Sweden, South Africa, Ireland, France, Spain, Finland, Switzerland, Canada, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands.

In 2016, the Federal Government of Nigeria appointed him to the National Implementation Committee on Nigeria’s Strategic ICT Roadmap 2016–2020. In 2018, he was named a member of the National Implementation Committee for the establishment of a Specialized Multi-Campus ICT University in Nigeria. He also served on the Nigeria National Broadband Plan 2020–2025 committee in 2019.

Engr. Raji hails from the Morolasa Ruling House of Alapinni Chieftaincy in Oyo Town, Oyo State. He earned an NCE in Computer Science/Mathematics from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in 1992. He obtained a B.Sc. in Computer Science Engineering from the University of Ibadan in 1997, followed by an M.Sc. in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in 2001 and an MBA in 2005, both from the same university. In 2019, he pursued another M.Sc. in Security and Strategic Studies at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, where he also began his Ph.D. program in the same field, blending technological expertise with security frameworks to address Nigeria’s security challenges.

Between 2002 and 2014, Engr. Raji attended numerous telecommunications engineering courses at institutions such as Childerley Solutions Wireless House, Cambridge, UK; Wray Castle Limited, Ambleside Cumbria, UK; LM Ericsson Training Centre, Dublin, Ireland; HUAWEI Technologies, China; and Telefocal Asia. In 2013, he attended Lagos Business School for a course in Business Data Planning and Analysis. In 2017, he obtained a Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Management Consultancy Practice and Organizational Transformation in the UK. He later studied Satellite Communications Design and Engineering at the Applied Technology Institute, Maryland, USA, in 2019.

Engr. Raji is a Certified Fellow of the International Professional Managers Association (FCIPM-UK) and Fellow Professional Managers Association (FPMA-UK).

Widely traveled, Engr. Raji is happily married with children.