Welcome to NEXTGEN 2026 — Inspiring Innovation. Driving Change. Shaping the Future.
The NEXTGEN Innovation Challenge 2026 is proudly organised by the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) — a Federal Government agency under the leadership of Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji, in partnership with UKALD, a UK-based consultancy firm.
The Challenge is Nigeria’s leading innovation platform — connecting visionary entrepreneurs, researchers, and young talents with global investors, governments, and development partners to accelerate the growth of transformative ideas and technologies.
About NEXTGEN 2025
The 2025 Edition achieved remarkable success and international recognition:
- Officially adopted by the Commonwealth for implementation across 56 member states.
- Featured 105 top innovators from across Nigeria, representing diverse sectors and regions.
- Concluded with a prestigious Grand Finale in London, where the winning innovator secured £1.5 million in investment support to scale an advanced solar platform.
- Included customised training at Teesside University, United Kingdom.
- Featured in an upcoming BBC documentary showcasing Nigerian innovation excellence.
- Fostered global collaborations with Innovation Africa (Israel), HYPREP, and other international partners — culminating in a joint presentation at Chatham House, London (December 2025).
NEXTGEN 2026: Developing Nigeria’s Innovation Ecosystem
Building on this strong foundation, the 2026 Edition will further unite academia, government, and private investors to accelerate innovation in alignment with Nigeria’s national priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
NEXTGEN 2026 aims to strengthen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem, create a platform for commercialising indigenous technologies, and position the country as a regional hub for science, technology, and innovation excellence.