Tinubu Light: NBTI Targets 50,000 Youth Jobs Through Solar Energy Plan

The National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) has unveiled a solar initiative targeting one million micro and small businesses across Nigeria to reduce energy costs and boost productivity.

The Director-General, Dr Kazeem Kolawole Raji, disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday while presenting the outcomes of the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2026, held in London.

Raji said the initiative, tagged Tinubu Light, is designed to address high energy costs and unreliable power supply, which force small businesses to depend on petrol and diesel generators.

He said potential beneficiaries include tailors, barbers, hairdressers, pharmacies, restaurants, food vendors, printers, retailers, POS operators, and women- and youth-led enterprises.

According to him, access to affordable solar solutions will help businesses reduce operating costs, extend working hours and improve productivity.

Raji said the programme targets 10,000 field marketers for training and deployment, as well as 50,000 direct youth jobs in its first phase.

He said the first phase projects N30 billion in blended financing and about N12 billion in annual economic benefits, subject to implementation assumptions.

Beyond energy access, Raji said the initiative also envisages support for business formalisation and financial inclusion, including the development of credit histories for informal enterprises.

He stressed that the programme’s success will depend on sound financing, transparent beneficiary selection, reliable equipment, maintenance and effective monitoring.

Raji said NBTI will collaborate with public institutions, financial partners, private operators and development organisations to deliver the programme.

The solar plan is part of a broader proposed $600 million investment and development-finance portfolio that NBTI is pursuing to support innovation and clean energy.

Raji said the portfolio includes a $500 million solar-energy programme being discussed with Gigawatt Global to develop solar farms in universities and polytechnics under Power Purchase Agreements.

It also includes a $100 million financing opportunity linked to the Tinubu Light Initiative, backed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Financial Innovation for Impact, UK, also known as Cambridge Investors.

He clarified that the figures represent proposed opportunities, not funds received, noting that their realisation depends on due diligence, financing arrangements, approvals and contractual commitments.

Raji spoke at a press conference on the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2026, organised by NBTI in partnership with UKALD, whose finale was held on October 9 at ExCeL London.

He said 298 innovators from 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) participated in the challenge, up from 105 in 2025, showcasing solutions in artificial intelligence, robotics, agriculture, healthcare, education, renewable energy and digital technology.

He said Dubai-based investor Erin Grover announced a $100,000 commitment for three women innovators to improve access to finance, mentorship and business support.

The challenge also produced 16 innovators selected for international accelerator training in Finland, Estonia, Poland and Abu Dhabi, valued at $10,000 each, bringing the total to $160,000.

The Learning and Development Bureau UK also offered each of the 16 innovators a Pre-MBA Level 7 scholarship worth over £5,000, amounting to more than £80,000, alongside support for UK Global Talent Visa applications.

Raji urged investors to assess opportunities on merit, conduct due diligence and support the commercialisation of Nigerian technologies.

He said NBTI would focus on turning exposure into market access and transforming innovation into enterprises and jobs.