Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ,EFCC, hit the ground running upon its establishment in 2003, largely due to the exemplary performance of its pioneer Chairman, Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu. His outstanding leadership set the benchmark by which the performance of subsequent chairmen has been judged.
Unlike the EFCC, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control ,NAFDAC, did not rise to public prominence until 2001, despite being established in 1994. In fact, its sister agency, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria ,SON, was initially more prominent in discharging duties expected of NAFDAC. This narrative changed with the appointment of Late Prof. Dora Akunyili in 2001.
Since then, the name Dora Akunyili has required no introduction, both locally and internationally. She singlehandedly placed NAFDAC on the global map.
Similarly, in Nigeria’s post-independence history, no leader, whether democratically elected or military-imposed has been as bold, courageous, and daring in repositioning the country on the path of economic recovery and prosperity as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. His profound reforms and bold programmes have rescued the nation from monumental decline and reshaped its fortunes for the better.
President Tinubu’s economic reforms have yielded remarkable results: external reserves grew from $6 billion to $40 billion; trade surplus reached $13.17 billion; portfolio investment rose to $13.35 billion; gas exports climbed to $8.66 billion; and non-oil exports hit $7.46 billion clear signs of economic diversification. Additionally, Nigeria recorded a balance of payment surplus of $6.828 billion in 2024, the first in three years.
These three leaders Ribadu, Akunyili, and Tinubu are giants whose exemplary leadership redefined the profiles of their respective institutions. EFCC became the dreaded anti-corruption watchdog under Ribadu. Public confidence in NAFDAC skyrocketed under Dora Akunyili. Today, President Tinubu’s reform policies are rewriting Nigeria’s economic story. For those still in doubt of Tinubu’s sterling performance, one only needs to reference the commendation by Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization ,WTO, on August 7, when she applauded President Tinubu for stabilizing the economy and affirmed that his reforms are indeed moving Nigeria in the right direction.
In the same vein, the National Board for Technology Incubation ,NBTI, established in 1993, had remained relatively unknown both nationally and globally until the appointment of Dr. Raji Kazeem Kolawole on January 10, 2025. His appointment has not only transformed the public perception of the agency but has also fundamentally redefined its operations.
The Technology Incubation Programme ,TIP, is a globally proven economic tool for fostering local and regional development. It provides an enabling environment for creativity, innovation, risk-taking, and entrepreneurship all essential ingredients for national growth and progress.
Since assuming office, Dr. Raji has taken bold initiatives and strategic moves to reposition the agency. Through institutional collaborations, accelerated innovation pathways, and reinforced commitment to NBTI’s mission in positioning Nigeria as a global leader in technology incubation and advancement. His passion is further fueled by the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose “Nigeria First” industrial policy has created fertile ground for Dr. Raji’s ideas to blossom.
Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships
Under Dr. Raji’s stewardship, NBTI has consummated vital collaborations with critical institutions to drive innovation, empower entrepreneurs, unlock new economic frontiers, and strengthen the agency’s operational capacity. These include:
Trademark Registry, Patents, and Designs Streamlining intellectual property protection for startups.
World Intellectual Property Organization ,WIPO, Facilitating international patent recognition and commercialization.
Nigerian Society of Engineers ,NSE, Leveraging engineering expertise in technology incubation.
Nigeria Association of Technology Incubation Entrepreneurs, Supporting and empowering startups.
High-Tech Centre,Fostering research commercialization and advanced innovations.
UKALD – Leading the UK-Nigeria Tech Innovation Expo to engage over 65 million youths.
TECHHOOD – Providing expertise in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and mobilization of grants.
High-Tech Centre for Nigerian Women and Youth – Promoting youth and women in innovation.
Envision Management Solutions – Expanding global opportunities for entrepreneurs.
Federal Polytechnic, Offa – Nurturing indigenous innovation and youth empowerment.
Aerosky Technologies Ltd – Spearheading Nigeria’s drone technology revolution under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Navigation 360 Foundation – Enhancing grassroots participation in incubation programs.
National Directorate of Employment ,NDE, – Fighting unemployment and promoting inclusive growth.
Constituents for Development Initiatives ,CDI, – Driving indigenous technology development.
Ecoflux Nigeria Ltd – Promoting entrepreneurship through a national hackathon.
Seyi Tinubu’s Campus Technovation – Empowering youth within the technology and innovation ecosystem.
The NextGen Innovation Challenge
One of Dr. Raji’s flagship initiatives is the NextGen Innovation Challenge, a pioneering contest designed to showcase and empower Nigerian youth innovators. Officially launched on May 28, 2025, at the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Abuja, the unveiling was performed by the Hon. Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji.
This challenge seeks to unlock the immense creative potential of Nigerian youth, particularly from underdeveloped grassroots communities across the 774 local governments. As Raji himself said during the unveiling, “The NextGen Innovation Challenge 2025 is a National Technology Movement for the Bold and Brilliant minds and it is not a mere competition; it is a clarion call to our youths to rise and lead. It is a platform designed to identify, nurture, and amplify the talents that often lie hidden in obscure communities from the markets of Kano to the creeks of the Niger Delta, from rural farms to urban hubs. No idea is too small. No dream is too distant.”
The National Showcase, held on July 9, 2025, at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, featured 74 exceptional finalists representing all 36 states and the FCT. They presented innovations across critical sectors.
The Grand Finale, tagged the Global Showcase, is scheduled for October 9, 2025, at Hilton Hotel, Paddington, London, where international sponsors and capital investors are expected to support innovators and launch them into the world market.
Policy Impact and Global Recognition
Dr. Raji’s brilliance was evident during the passage of the 2025 Tax Reform Act, signed by President Tinubu. Through deft political networking and institutional collaboration, he successfully secured a 4% allocation from the National Development Levy for NBTI—a long overdue but well-deserved recognition of the agency’s contributions to National growth and development.
Internationally, Dr. Raji has already elevated NBTI to the global stage. His erudite presentation at the Executive Programme in London (April 2025) where he unveiled NBTI’s Strategic Roadmap (2025–2028), encapsulating its core mandate, strategic plans, and the remarkable achievements of its Technology Incubation Centres. His delivery held global stakeholders spellbound, drawing resounding commendations for Nigeria’s growing innovation ecosystem.
Conclusively,
In just a few months, Dr. Raji Kazeem Kolawole has transformed NBTI from obscurity into a hub of innovation, collaboration, and global recognition. Just as Nuhu Ribadu redefined EFCC, Dora Akunyili transformed NAFDAC, and President Tinubu reshaped Nigeria’s economic future, Dr. Raji is scripting a new chapter for NBTI. His tenure is fast becoming a case study in transformational leadership—an uncommon effect indeed.
Comrade Wole Badmus, Publisher of ‘The People’s Scorecard’ Magazine, a
Public Sector Performance Monitoring Magazine,
writes from Lagos.
