Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NBTI, Kazeem Raji
Federal Government has launched the Tinubu Light Initiative, a nationwide renewable energy programme aimed at providing affordable clean energy to one million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to reduce production costs, boost industrial growth and create jobs.
The initiative was unveiled on Thursday August 6th by the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) during the National Showcase of the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2026 in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NBTI, Kazeem Raji, said the programme is expected to generate more than 50,000 direct jobs while promoting clean energy adoption, strengthening local manufacturing and improving the competitiveness of Nigerian businesses.
Raji said the initiative was designed to address the high cost of energy, which has remained one of the biggest challenges facing businesses due to unreliable electricity supply and dependence on fuel-powered generators.
According to him, the programme will deploy innovative financing models, strategic partnerships and renewable energy technologies to provide affordable electricity to one million MSMEs across the country.
He said lower energy costs would enable businesses to reinvest savings into expansion, increase productivity and stimulate the growth of local industries.
Beyond improving access to electricity, Raji said the initiative would encourage local assembly and production of renewable energy equipment, reduce carbon emissions, promote financial inclusion through digital financing platforms and expand economic opportunities for women and young entrepreneurs.
He described the Tinubu Light Initiative as an industrial development strategy, an employment and poverty reduction programme, and a key component of Nigeria’s climate action agenda.
Raji said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to position innovation, science, technology and entrepreneurship as drivers of sustainable economic development.
He also highlighted the growing impact of the NextGen Innovation Challenge, noting that the 2026 edition attracted thousands of entries from innovators working in renewable energy, agriculture, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, healthcare, manufacturing, education, financial technology, climate technology and industrial engineering.
According to him, the challenge has evolved into a national platform linking innovators with investors while supporting the commercialisation of indigenous technologies.l
Raji disclosed that during the inaugural edition in 2025, one participant secured a £1.5 million investment commitment, while several agricultural innovations developed through the programme are already improving productivity and reducing post-harvest losses in Kaduna, Bauchi and other states.
He said NBTI would continue using its network of Technology Incubation Centres across the country to identify and mentor innovators, facilitate technology transfer and transform research outcomes into commercially viable products.
The NBTI boss also announced that the NextGen Innovation Challenge has secured the backing of the Commonwealth Secretariat, paving the way for its expansion into a Commonwealth-wide initiative involving all 56 member countries.
