By By Elizabeth Ugbo
The Federal Government has unveiled the NEXTGEN Innovation Challenge 2026 in Abuja, with boot camps starting immediately and the grand finale set for October 2026 in London, to accelerate innovation, attract foreign investment, and position Nigeria as Africa’s innovation powerhouse. The programme, announced by Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji, Director General of the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), will feature international editions in Doha and London, targeting global investors, sovereign wealth funds, and development finance institutions.
NEXTGEN 2026 Expands to Global Markets
Dr. Raji revealed that NEXTGEN 2026 will host international editions in Doha, Qatar, and London, United Kingdom.
The Doha edition will target Middle East investors and sovereign wealth funds. Meanwhile, London will serve as the global flagship showcase.
The grand finale will take place at the ExCeL London in October 2026.
According to Raji, the platform will connect Nigerian innovators with global investors, governments, and private sector partners.
Priority Sectors for National Development
NEXTGEN Innovation Challenge 2026 will focus on high-impact sectors aligned with Nigeria’s development goals and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Key sectors include:
- Artificial intelligence and robotics
- Advanced semiconductors
- Telecommunications powered by 6G and AI integration
- Green and renewable energy
- Climate resilience and flood detection systems
- Agri-tech
- Health-tech
- Edu-tech
- Women in tech and gender-inclusive innovation
- Virtual reality and 3D manufacturing
Dr. Raji explained that these sectors will drive economic competitiveness and sustainable growth.
Strategic Global Partnerships
NBTI will deepen collaboration with the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance and the Commonwealth Investment Network.
These partnerships will unlock climate finance, attract Foreign Direct Investment, and scale environmentally sustainable innovations.
Furthermore, the programme aims to move innovators from laboratories to commercial success.
Innovation as Nigeria’s New Oil
Dr. Raji described NEXTGEN 2026 as a national development catalyst and a global innovation diplomacy platform.
He commended Bola Ahmed Tinubu for economic reforms and the Nigeria First Policy.
According to him, the administration has repositioned innovation as a central pillar of national development.
He stressed that “innovation is the new oil” in Nigeria’s evolving knowledge-driven economy.
Call to Universities, Investors and Youth
Dr. Raji urged Nigerian universities to commercialise research outputs.
He encouraged investors to provide structured capital to startups.
He also challenged young Nigerians to treat their ideas as national assets.
The initiative, organised by NBTI in partnership with UK-based consultancy firm UKALD, aims to stimulate jobs, unlock capital, and strengthen Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
Driving Nigeria’s Knowledge Economy
The NEXTGEN Innovation Challenge 2026 signals Abuja’s strategic push to place innovation at the centre of economic policy.
The Federal Government expects the platform to scale ideas, mobilise investment, and deliver measurable economic impact.
Ultimately, the programme will position Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s knowledge economy.
