Abuja, Nigeria – Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has emphatically called for increased national self-reliance and youth-led development, asserting that young innovators are the bedrock of the nation’s future.

Speaking at the National Exhibition of the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2025 in Abuja on Wednesday, Minister Nnaji hailed the event, themed ‘Igniting Indigenous Ingenuity: Nigerian Solutions, Global Impact,’ as “a celebration of vision, creativity, resilience, and the unrelenting spirit of Nigerian innovation.”

He extended commendations to the organizers, including the National Board for Technology Incubation and the planning team, for establishing a platform that empowers young Nigerians to drive the country’s development trajectory. Nnaji revealed that this year’s challenge garnered “over 3,000 entries from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory,” from which 74 finalists emerged.

According to the Minister, these young innovators embody “the ingenuity, courage, and brilliance that define the Nigerian spirit.” Addressing the finalists directly, he stated, “Your selection is not just a personal achievement—it is a national endorsement of your potential to solve real problems and move us forward.”

Nnaji connected the challenge to the broader policy direction of the Federal Government, emphasizing that the exhibition aligns perfectly with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. “The President has made it clear: we will no longer be a nation that imports solutions to problems we have the capacity to solve,” Nnaji affirmed. “We will unleash the innovation of our people, unlock the potential of our youth, and build an inclusive economy that rewards ideas, enterprise, and courage.”

The Minister highlighted that innovation has shifted “from the periphery of governance to the heart of national development,” citing government efforts in digital transformation, science and technology education, and ecosystem reform as crucial pillars of this paradigm shift. He pointed to the diverse innovations showcased, spanning clean energy, fintech, agri-tech, AI, and deep-tech, declaring, “Our young innovators are proving that Nigeria is not just consuming technology; we are creating it.”

In a direct appeal, Nnaji urged private sector stakeholders and international partners to increase investment in local talent, emphasizing that “These young men and women don’t just have ideas, they have solutions, blueprints, and scalable products that can redefine industries and transform lives.”

The Ministry’s commitments, Nnaji outlined, include strengthening innovation hubs nationwide, supporting the transition from ideas to market-ready solutions, and fostering a regulatory environment that “encourages risk, rewards excellence, and promotes inclusion.”

To the finalists, Nnaji offered a final charge: “You are ambassadors of innovation and architects of the Nigeria we are building under this renewed national direction. The future is not something we wait for—it is something we must create with intention, precision, and boldness.”

In his remarks, Dr. Kazeem Raji, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), underscored the importance of recognizing Nigeria’s most valuable resource: the intellect and creativity of its people. “Today, Nigeria is not simply convening an event; we are scripting a pivotal chapter in our nation’s journey—a chapter defined not by natural endowments, but by intellectual assets; not by what lies beneath our soil, but by the boundless ingenuity rising from within our people,” he stated.

Raji emphasized that the challenge aims for “deep, systemic transformation,” addressing critical national questions such as food security for over 200 million people, sustainable energy access, and quality education for all. He lauded President Tinubu’s “visionary leadership” and the Renewed Hope Agenda for transforming Nigeria from a consumer to a production and innovation-driven economy.

Raji urged innovators to “think beyond prototypes—toward products. Think beyond ideas—toward impact. Think beyond visibility—toward viability and scalability. Build for Nigeria. Design for Africa. Compete for the world.” He also encouraged participants to align with government policy and tackle national priorities.

NBTI, in partnership with UKALD as project consultants, is committed to translating ambition into measurable outcomes. The 2025 cohort includes at least two innovators from each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT, with the top 37 set to represent Nigeria on a global innovation stage in London. Raji called for widespread support from various sectors, including the private sector, development partners, governors, and the media, concluding with an appeal: “And to all Nigerians: Let us believe in ourselves again.”