The Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, SAN, has said that harnessing space science, research, indigenous technology, and entrepreneurship is a pathway to sustainable national development beyond dependence on natural resources.
He made this remark during the NextGen 2026 Innovation Challenge and the official launch of the Tinubu Light Initiative (TLI), hosted by the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) in Abuja.
The Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Mukhtar Muhammad, explained that Nigeria is exceptionally blessed with millions of young minds whose creativity can transform not only the nation but the entire African continent, noting that government’s primary responsibility is to create a supportive ecosystem where such innovation can flourish.
Dr. Udeh said the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, in pursuit of this objective, has placed innovation commercialisation, technology transfer, industrial competitiveness, clean energy, digital transformation and research driven economic development at the heart of its national agenda.
Appreciating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for placing innovation at the core of the Renewed Hope Agenda, Dr. Udeh described the Tinubu Light Initiative (TLI) as a national economic empowerment programme designed to provide affordable and reliable energy to Nigerian businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, while strengthening productive capacity, reducing operating costs and expanding financial inclusion.
In his goodwill message, the Director General and Chief Executive of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Matthew Adepoju, highlighted the crucial role of harnessing space science and technology to drive sustainable national development, particularly through advanced satellite remote sensing, geospatial mapping, and cutting edge research.
According to him, space technology extends far beyond rockets, stressing that it begins with curiosity and translates into innovations such as satellite applications, remote sensing and geospatial technologies that provide practical solutions to everyday challenges.
Reiterating NASRDA’s commitment to inter-agency synergy, Dr Adepoju announced that the Space Agency's specialized research centers across the country are fully prepared to collaborate with NBTI incubation hubs to strengthen economic growth and technological innovation.
He commended the Director General of the NBTI, Dr. Kazeem Raji, for the NextGen initiative, describing it as a vital foundation upon which a modern, self-reliant Nigeria is being built.
Speaking earlier, the Director General of the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), Dr Kazeem Kolawole Raji thanked delegates and innovators for their participation, explaining that the core goal of the platform is to convert local research and indigenous ideas into market ready technologies that solve real world economic challenges.
Below are some pictures from the event:
Reporter: Oluwaseun Ajayi
Editor: Joy Atama-Opaluwa
Photo credit: Ibrahim Zakari
Media and Corporate Communications NASRDA
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