By Peter Adelowo
Minister of Innovation Science and Technology, Chief Uche Unaji says creativity and innovation is vital in driving nation’s economic development.
Chief Nnaji stated this at the Unveiling Ceremony of the NextGen Innovators Challenge 2025, on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said the Innovators Challenge, led by National Board for Technology Incubation,(NBTI) in collaboration with a United Kingdom based consulting and development advisory firm, UKALD and other strategic partners, is designed to break down barriers faced by local inventors.
The minister who was represented by his Senior Special Adviser, Administration, Dr. Robert Ngwu said the programme is building direct partnership between local talents and global opportunities noting that it will also provide access to investors, mentors, technical assistance, and boost commercialization.
He said “This challenge is more than a programme—it is a national movement. A clarion call to every young Nigerian with a spark of brilliance, a novel idea, or a transformative solution ready to shape our collective future” he stressed.
“This platform is designed to reach every Local Government Area in the country ensuring that no talent is left unseen, no innovation is left unsupported, and no dream is deemed too small” the Minister stated.
“From young minds
building drones with local materials, to those designing solar-powered vehicles, developing smart agricultural apps, or pioneering clean energy” Chief Nnaji noted.
He added that the challenge is a journey ignited by the spirit of discovery, sustained by visionary leadership, and powered by the indomitable will of the Nigerian people.
In his welcome address, the Director General, National Board for Technology incubation, (NBTI) Dr Kazeem Kolawole Raji said the programme will ignite a renaissance of ideas, invention and inclusive prosperity driven by creativity of young Nigerians across the globe.
He added that the initiative is aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu renewed hope agenda which places innovation, technology, industrialisation and economic competitiveness at the forefront of the nation’s growth.
Raji emphasized that the Next generation innovation challenge 2025 is not a mere competition but a technological movement to awake and put Nigerian youths on the global lead.
“We are deliberately reaching out to the 774 Local Government Areas, to build on inclusive innovation pipeline that reflects the true diversity and the genius of Nigerians. Our mission is to empower grassroots intervention and innovators to ascend the global stage.”
