NIGERIAN INNOVATORS SHINE IN LONDON AS NBTI SHOWCASES 298 INNOVATORS TO GLOBAL INVESTORS
The NextGen Innovation Challenge 2026 International Grand Finale connects Nigerian innovators with international investors and potential business partners, advancing opportunities for technology commercialisation and global market access.
Representing all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, the innovators presented their ideas and technology-driven solutions to international investors, potential business partners, government officials and diplomatic representatives, creating opportunities for investment, collaboration and access to global markets.
The showcase marked a significant expansion of the initiative, with participation increasing from 105 innovators at the previous edition to 298 in 2026. The growth underscores Nigeria’s efforts to move indigenous innovation beyond prototypes towards commercially viable products, sustainable enterprises and economic impact.
Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji: Turning Innovation into Economic Opportunity
Speaking at the event, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NBTI, Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji, emphasised that innovation, entrepreneurship and technology commercialisation are essential to Nigeria’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy.
He stressed that sustainable economic growth cannot depend solely on government or natural resources but must be driven by Nigerians who develop technologies, manufacture products, create intellectual property and build competitive businesses.
“A one-trillion-dollar economy cannot be built by government alone. It must be built by Nigerians who innovate, Nigerians who manufacture, Nigerians who invest, Nigerians who create intellectual property, Nigerians who build enterprises, and Nigerians who compete successfully in the global markets,” he said.
Through the NextGen Innovation Challenge, NBTI seeks to bridge the gap between promising ideas and commercial opportunities by connecting innovators with investors, business partners and international markets.
Dr. Raji emphasised that the programme’s ultimate success would be measured by tangible outcomes, including businesses established, technologies commercialised, investments secured, jobs created and lives improved.
“Today is a celebration, but tomorrow is the real test,” he said, urging innovators to build, commercialise, scale and collaborate to take Nigerian innovation to the global
Nigerian Innovation Attracts International Investor Interest
The London showcase created opportunities for Nigerian innovators to engage with international investors and explore potential partnerships capable of supporting business development and expansion.
Among the investors at the event was Erin Grover, who expressed particular interest in innovations developed by women entrepreneurs. Drawing on her experience working with startups and nonprofit organisations across Africa and Asia, she said she hoped to invest in at least one of the women entrepreneurs she met.
Her interest highlighted the potential of the showcase to open doors for emerging businesses, particularly women-led enterprises seeking investment and opportunities to scale.
While these engagements created promising prospects, the real measure of success will be the conversion of investor interest into completed investments, viable businesses and sustainable commercial partnerships. 
Strengthening Nigeria’s Global Innovation Footprint
In a keynote address delivered on behalf of Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu, Ambassador Abu Obey Eche described the event as an important opportunity to present Nigeria’s innovation potential to the world.
He highlighted London’s position as a major centre for finance, technology, research and enterprise, making it a strategic platform for Nigerian innovators seeking international investors and business partners.
Eche also encouraged Nigerians in the diaspora to contribute their expertise, financial resources and knowledge of international markets to support emerging entrepreneurs at home.
He further highlighted the potential for extending the challenge to other Commonwealth countries, which could create additional opportunities for cross-border collaboration and market access.
Strategic Partnerships Driving Innovation and Enterprise
The initiative received support from the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian High Commission in the United Kingdom, the British High Commission and strategic partner UKALD.
Tunde Doherty, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in the United Kingdom and Executive Director of UKALD, described the challenge as an opportunity to demonstrate the commercial potential of Nigerian innovation to international investors. He encouraged investors to explore opportunities within Nigeria’s growing technology and enterprise ecosystem.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mukhtar Muhammad, also commended NBTI for expanding the initiative and creating opportunities for young Nigerians to develop practical solutions to societal challenges.
He pledged increased ministry support for the programme in the coming year and proposed that states establish their own processes for identifying promising innovators. Such an approach could expand grassroots participation and strengthen the pipeline of technologies available for development and commercialisation.
Dr. Raji also acknowledged the contributions of NBTI staff and Technology Incubation Centre managers nationwide in identifying, mentoring and supporting innovators.
From Innovation Showcase to Lasting Economic Impact
The NextGen Innovation Challenge aligns with NBTI’s broader mandate to support technology-based entrepreneurship and facilitate the commercialisation of indigenous technologies.
For many innovators, the journey from an idea to a successful business requires more than technical expertise. Access to finance, market intelligence, mentorship, manufacturing capacity and strategic partnerships can determine whether a promising invention becomes a viable enterprise.
By bringing Nigerian innovators into direct contact with international investors and potential business partners, the London showcase created opportunities to address some of these challenges.
However, sustained follow-up will be essential to turn these connections into measurable results. Completed investments, commercially successful products, new enterprises and job creation will ultimately determine the initiative’s long-term value.
Nigeria’s Innovation Journey Continues
The NextGen Innovation Challenge 2026 International Grand Finale demonstrated the depth of Nigerian entrepreneurial talent and the importance of connecting homegrown innovation with global opportunities.
With 298 innovators representing every state and the Federal Capital Territory, the showcase strengthened the platform for Nigerian technologies to attract international attention and explore new commercial pathways.
Under the leadership of Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji, NBTI continues to emphasise a critical national priority: transforming ideas into marketable products, competitive businesses and sustainable economic opportunities.
The message from London is clear. Nigeria’s future will depend not only on the ideas its people create but also on the technologies they commercialise, the businesses they build and the value they deliver to society.
Nigerian innovation has stepped onto the global stage. The next milestone is turning that visibility into investment, enterprise growth and lasting economic impact.
