The National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) has unveiled an ambitious renewable energy programme aimed at providing affordable electricity to one million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), in a move expected to create over 50,000 direct jobs, reduce production costs and stimulate industrial growth across Nigeria.
The programme, known as the Tinubu Light Initiative (TLI), was launched on Thursday in Abuja by the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NBTI, Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji, during the National Showcase of the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2026.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Raji said millions of Nigerian businesses continue to struggle because of unreliable electricity and dependence on costly fossil-fuel generators, adding that the new initiative was designed to change that reality through innovative financing models, strategic partnerships and renewable energy technologies.
He said the initiative would not only improve access to clean energy but also encourage local manufacturing, reduce operational costs for businesses, accelerate financial inclusion, support climate commitments and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness as a leading green innovation economy.
According to the NBTI boss, the programme is more than an electrification project, describing it as an industrial policy, employment strategy, poverty reduction initiative and a practical investment in Nigeria’s future prosperity.
Dr. Raji explained that the Tinubu Light Initiative complements the NextGen Innovation Challenge, which has become a major platform for identifying and commercialising indigenous innovations capable of solving Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.
He revealed that the 2026 edition of the innovation challenge attracted thousands of applications from innovators working in renewable energy, agriculture, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, healthcare, manufacturing, education, fintech and climate technology, reflecting the abundance of innovative talent across the country.
The NBTI Director-General also highlighted the success of the inaugural 2025 competition, noting that one participating innovator secured a £1.5 million investment commitment, while several agricultural innovations from the programme are already improving productivity and livelihoods in farming communities.
Dr. Raji attributed the agency’s achievements to the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Nigeria First Policy have strengthened innovation, technology commercialisation and indigenous enterprise development.
He urged investors, development partners and the private sector to support Nigerian innovators, stressing that innovation and clean energy remain critical to building a resilient, diversified and globally competitive economy.
