NOA DG, ISSA-ONILU, JOINS GLOBAL STAKEHOLDERS TO PROJECT NIGERIAN INNOVATION AT LONDON TECH CHALLENGE
LONDON, UK — The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has joined global investors, technology experts, industry leaders and other stakeholders at the 2026 NextGen Innovation Challenge Grand Finale in London, United Kingdom, in a move to showcase Nigeria’s homegrown innovations and strengthen the country’s global image.
The event, held at the Platinum Suite of the ExCeL Exhibition Centre, brought together innovators and international stakeholders to explore opportunities for transforming Nigerian ideas, research and technological breakthroughs into commercially viable products capable of competing in the global marketplace.
Organised by the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), under the leadership of its Director-General, Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji, the challenge featured 298 shortlisted Nigerian innovators presenting solutions across critical sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, clean energy, manufacturing and emerging digital technologies.
Issa-Onilu’s participation underscored the importance of connecting Nigeria’s technological achievements with the country’s national identity, reputation and international standing.
The engagement also highlighted the role of strategic communication and national orientation in projecting a positive image of Nigeria, particularly by showcasing the creativity, resilience and problem-solving abilities of Nigerian innovators to the international community.
By bringing Nigerian innovations before global investors and industry leaders, the challenge provided a platform for participants to explore partnerships, attract investment and expand access to international markets.
Speaking at the event, the NBTI Director-General, Dr. Raji, stressed the need to move indigenous innovations beyond the prototype stage and develop them into sustainable businesses capable of attracting global venture capital, creating employment opportunities and contributing meaningfully to national economic growth.
He emphasised that effective collaboration among government institutions, academic and research bodies, private-sector operators and international partners was essential to providing innovators with the technical support, funding and market access required to scale their solutions.
The participation of the NOA Director-General further highlighted the connection between innovation, national development and public perception, as Nigeria seeks to strengthen its reputation as a country of creative minds, technological potential and entrepreneurial opportunities.
The 2026 NextGen Innovation Challenge therefore represents an important opportunity to bridge the gap between indigenous creativity and global commercial success, while positioning Nigerian innovators to contribute to technological advancement and economic transformation.
For Nigeria, the broader message is clear: homegrown talent and locally developed solutions can become powerful instruments of national development and international recognition when supported by effective partnerships, investment and strategic promotion.
