Nigerian innovators showcased to global investors in London

The Nigerian Federal Government, through the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), has brought 298 innovators from Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to London, United Kingdom. The delegation participated in the 2026 NextGen Innovation Challenge international grand finale to attract global investors and facilitate the commercialisation of indigenous technologies.

Dr. Kareem Raji, Director-General of the NBTI, stated that the initiative aims to bridge the gap between local research and international markets. He emphasized that achieving Nigeria’s goal of a one-trillion-dollar economy requires moving beyond a reliance on natural resources and government spending toward a foundation of innovation, manufacturing, and intellectual property creation.

The number of Nigerian participants in the showcase has grown significantly, increasing from 105 in the previous edition to 298 this year. The program is designed to transform locally developed prototypes into marketable products and viable businesses to drive job creation and global competitiveness.