FG unveils renewable energy programme for one million MSMEs
August 7, 2026 12:30 am
File: President Bola Tinubu.
The Federal Government on Thursday launched the Tinubu Light Initiative, a nationwide renewable energy programme designed to provide affordable clean energy to one million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in a move aimed at lowering production costs, creating jobs and accelerating industrial growth.
The initiative was unveiled by the National Board for Technology Incubation during the National Showcase of the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2026 held at the NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NBTI, Dr Kazeem Raji, said the programme would create more than 50,000 direct jobs, promote clean energy adoption, strengthen local manufacturing and improve the competitiveness of Nigerian businesses.
Raji said the initiative was conceived to tackle one of the biggest constraints facing businesses in Nigeria: high energy costs resulting from unreliable electricity supply and dependence on fossil fuel-powered generators.
He said, “The Tinubu Light Initiative seeks to change this narrative. Through innovative financing models, strategic partnerships, renewable energy technologies and nationwide implementation, this initiative will provide affordable clean energy solutions to one million Nigerian MSMEs.
“Imagine one million businesses operating with lower production costs. Imagine millions of entrepreneurs reinvesting their savings into business expansion. Imagine increased productivity across every sector of our economy. Imagine cleaner communities.
“Imagine stronger local industries. Imagine more competitive Nigerian products. Imagine thousands of new factories emerging because energy is no longer a barrier to growth. That is the future we are building today.”
According to him, the initiative will also encourage local assembly and production of renewable energy equipment, reduce carbon emissions, strengthen financial inclusion through innovative digital financing platforms, and expand economic opportunities for women and young entrepreneurs.
He added, “This initiative goes beyond electrification. It is an industrial policy. It is an employment strategy. It is a poverty reduction programme. It is a climate action initiative. It is a national productivity agenda. Above all, it is a practical investment in the future prosperity of Nigeria.”
Raji said the programme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the administration’s efforts to reposition innovation, science, technology and entrepreneurship as key drivers of sustainable economic development.
He noted, “The Renewed Hope Agenda is no longer merely a policy framework; it is increasingly becoming a practical roadmap for unlocking Nigeria’s immense economic potential through innovation, entrepreneurship and technology.”
The NBTI boss also highlighted the impact of the NextGen Innovation Challenge, revealing that the 2026 edition attracted thousands of applications from innovators across renewable energy, agriculture, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, healthcare, manufacturing, education, financial technology, climate technology and industrial engineering.
“This overwhelming participation demonstrates one undeniable reality: Nigeria is blessed with an abundance of innovative minds. Our challenge has never been a lack of ideas. Our challenge has been creating the right ecosystem to nurture those ideas into globally competitive enterprises. That is precisely what the National Board for Technology Incubation is committed to achieving,” he said.
Raji explained that the innovation challenge had grown beyond a competition into a national platform connecting innovators with investors and supporting the commercialisation of indigenous technologies.
“When we conceived the NextGen Innovation Challenge, our ambition was never to organise another competition. Our vision was far greater. We set out to ignite a national movement—a movement that would discover hidden talents in every part of Nigeria, bridge the gap between research and industry, and restore confidence in the extraordinary ingenuity of Nigerians,” he said.
Reflecting on the inaugural edition in 2025, he disclosed that one of the participating innovators 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.
“When Nigerian innovation is properly nurtured, professionally presented and strategically supported, global investors respond with confidence. This achievement is not merely a success story for one innovator; it is a powerful vote of confidence in Nigeria. It confirms that our innovators possess the creativity, competence and resilience required to compete successfully within the global innovation economy,” he said.
He added that many of the innovations emerging from the challenge had moved beyond laboratories into practical use.
“They are solving real problems. They are creating jobs. They are attracting investors. They are improving their livelihoods. They are contributing to national development. These are not prototypes gathering dust on shelves. These are practical solutions for improving lives. This is the true purpose of innovation,” Raji stated.
The NBTI chief said the agency would continue leveraging its network of Technology Incubation Centres nationwide to identify talent, mentor innovators, facilitate technology transfer and convert research outcomes into commercially viable products.
“Our mandate extends beyond incubation. We identify talent. We mentor innovators. We facilitate technology transfer. We promote commercialisation. We connect innovators with investors. We help transform research into industries. We convert ideas into wealth,” he said.
He also announced that the NextGen Innovation Challenge had secured the support of the Commonwealth Secretariat, paving the way for its expansion into a Commonwealth-wide initiative involving all 56 member nations.
“This remarkable development represents a historic milestone—not only for NBTI but for Nigeria. It demonstrates that ideas conceived in Nigeria can inspire global platforms. It confirms that Nigerian innovation has earned international recognition and reinforces our conviction that Nigeria is no longer merely participating in the global innovation conversation; we are helping to shape it,” he said.
Raji urged investors and development partners to support indigenous innovations capable of transforming key sectors of the economy.
He said, “Today, I invite you to see beyond the prototypes on display. See the industries of tomorrow. See the companies that will redefine African manufacturing. See the technologies that will strengthen food security, improve healthcare, expand financial inclusion, accelerate renewable energy adoption and enhance industrial competitiveness. See the future, because the future is being built here today.”
Addressing participants in the innovation challenge, he encouraged young innovators to remain committed to developing solutions to national challenges.
“You represent the finest expression of Nigerian excellence. You have chosen to solve problems rather than complain about them. You have chosen to create opportunities rather than wait for them. Continue to dream boldly. Continue to innovate fearlessly. Continue to build solutions that improve humanity. NBTI will remain your partner, your advocate and your bridge to commercial success,” he said.
The launch of the Tinubu Light Initiative comes as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to diversify Nigeria’s economy through innovation, clean energy and enterprise development. MSMEs account for the vast majority of businesses in the country and remain the largest source of employment, but many continue to grapple with unreliable electricity supply and rising energy costs, forcing them to rely heavily on petrol and diesel generators.
The initiative also aligns with the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises industrialisation, technology commercialisation, renewable energy, digital transformation and local manufacturing as key drivers of economic growth. The National Board for Technology Incubation, established to nurture indigenous technologies and transform research into commercially viable enterprises, operates Technology Incubation Centres across the country to support startups, innovators and technology-based businesses while connecting them with investors and global markets.
Deborah Tolu-Kolawole is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with four years of experience covering Nigeria’s vast education sector as well as related areas such as politics, health, security, and labour. She blends rigorous reporting with digital storytelling to bring clarity and insight to complex issues affecting learners, educators, and policymakers. Deborah was a nominee for The Future Awards Africa (TFAA) Prize in Journalism, recognising her impactful reporting and contributions to Nigerian media. Her work reflects strong newsroom experience, editorial judgment, and a commitment to accurate, audience-focused journalism. In addition to her reporting, she is fluent in multiple languages and serves as a contributing member of The Punch editorial board.
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