By Seun Sunday
The National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) has entered into a strategic partnership with Campus Technovation, an initiative under the Seyi Tinubu Employability Programme for Undergraduates and Postgraduate Students, facilitated by the Seyi Tinubu Youth Empowerment and Students Engagement Committee. This collaboration is designed to support Nigerian youth in realizing their potential within the technology and innovation ecosystem.
Speaking on the partnership, Hon. Yinka Dallas, Chairman of the Seyi Tinubu Youth Empowerment and Students Engagement Committee, emphasized that the initiative will provide young campus innovators and entrepreneurs with access to resources, mentorship, and incubation support. The goal is to help students transform ideas into viable products and services, leveraging their local environments and available resources to facilitate job creation.
Hon. Dallas also highlighted the initiative’s focus on capacity building, including joint workshops, empowerment programs, and training sessions that will equip students with the necessary entrepreneurial skills and knowledge to succeed in their chosen careers. He noted that the collaboration will connect students with experienced mentors, provide networking opportunities, and offer access to incubation spaces and accelerator programs.
Furthermore, the partnership will encourage research-driven innovation, enabling students to develop solutions to local challenges while identifying emerging opportunities. It will also focus on addressing business bottlenecks and advocating for government policies that support student entrepreneurship and technological innovation. Hon. Dallas outlined the broader benefits of the partnership, including increased impact, enhanced reputation, resource pooling, knowledge sharing, and joint projects.
NBTI’s Commitment to Youth Development
Welcoming the delegation, Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji, Director General/CEO of NBTI, reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to empowering Nigerian youth through technology incubation and innovation. He emphasized that NBTI has consistently supported youth-led enterprises, with many of its incubatees achieving both national and international recognition.
Dr. Raji highlighted NBTI’s recent collaboration with the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) to revive the Junior Engineers, Technicians, and Scientists (JETS) program in secondary schools—an initiative aligned with President Tinubu’s vision of nurturing young talents at an early stage.
He further stressed the importance of high-quality production among Nigerian entrepreneurs, citing instances where locally manufactured products from Aba were rebranded abroad. “You have the skills and expertise to produce high-quality goods that can compete globally. However, it is essential to take full ownership of your work, rather than allowing foreign entities to claim credit for your innovations,” Dr. Raji stated.
Expanding Innovation and Technology Hubs Across Nigeria
In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Dr. Raji revealed that NBTI has concluded plans to establish Technology Hubs and Parks across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. This initiative aims to maximize regional resources, create employment opportunities, and boost economic development.
He also underscored NBTI’s Community Incubation Program, which supports women and youth engaged in local technologies by helping them scale their innovations for broader economic and societal impact.
Dr. Raji commended Barr. Seyi Tinubu for championing this initiative and recognizing his commitment to youth empowerment and industrialization. He urged Nigerian students to seize this opportunity to become successful entrepreneurs even before graduation.
This partnership represents a significant step toward fostering innovation, economic growth, and youth-driven industrial development in Nigeria.