Nigeria’s drive toward innovation and youth-led development received a major boost today as the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, declared strong support for the National NextGen Innovation Challenge, launched by the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) in Abuja.
The event, which took place at the NICON Luxury Hotel, brought together innovators, tech entrepreneurs, and government stakeholders from across the country to kick-start a national search for solutions in energy, science, and technology.
Dr. Abdullahi hailed the initiative as timely, inclusive, and critical for Nigeria’s future. He emphasized the importance of harnessing technology to solve real-world problems, especially in the energy sector.
“Nigeria’s youth are our greatest resource,” he said. “With innovations in areas like smart grids, energy storage, electric vehicles, and AI, we can tackle energy poverty, climate change, and economic underdevelopment simultaneously.”
The ECN boss also highlighted the work being done across ECN’s six energy research centres and its Renewable Energy Barefoot Academy, calling them “vital platforms for sustainable local solutions.”
He urged participants in the Challenge to “dream big and innovate boldly,” aligning their projects with Nigeria’s climate action goals and the national energy transition plan.
Dr. Abdullahi commended NBTI Director-General Dr. Kolawole Raji for his leadership and foresight in organizing the challenge, which will involve innovators from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The NextGen Innovation Challenge is expected to serve as a launchpad for transformative ideas in renewable energy, green technology, and industrial solutions, fostering collaboration between government, academia, and private industry.
