The Federal Government has declared innovation as key to ending poverty in Nigeria and the cornerstone of its Renewed Hope Agenda. Speaking at the opening of the maiden South-East Techno-Expo 2025 in Enugu, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, said that the administration is prioritizing technological advancement as a critical tool to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty.
Represented by Dr. Clarice Chijioke, Zonal Director of the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) South-East, Nnaji emphasized that the Federal Government has identified five key sectors, food and energy security, job creation, poverty eradication, financial inclusion, and economic growth, where innovation will be strategically deployed to drive results.
The two-day expo, themed “Nurturing Research and Development (R&D) Results and Innovation to Drive Nigeria’s Economic Growth Using Technology Incubation as a Tool,” gathered innovators, startups, researchers, and industry leaders from across the region to showcase market-ready inventions and explore collaborative opportunities. The event is organized by the NBTI under the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.
According to the minister, Nigeria must build a robust innovation ecosystem where creative ideas are not only generated but also nurtured, incubated, and translated into products and services that transform lives. He urged inventors and tech entrepreneurs, particularly in the South-East, to seize the opportunity presented by the government’s renewed commitment to technology-driven development.
Earlier, Dr. Kazeem Raji, Director-General of NBTI, reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to creating an enabling environment for innovation through well-equipped Technology Incubation Centres and strategic public-private partnerships. He called on stakeholders to think boldly and collaborate intentionally to unlock Nigeria’s untapped potential in science and technology.
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Prof. Gozie Ogbodo, Rector of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, praised the initiative, describing technology incubation as the bridge between academic excellence and industrial relevance. He stressed the importance of sustained research and development in advancing the nation’s economic agenda.
In his goodwill message, Dr. Martins Iluyomade of NAFDAC, represented by the agency’s Enugu State Coordinator Mr. Collins Ogedegbe, pledged continued collaboration with NBTI to support start-ups and ensure their products meet global standards. Similarly, Dr. Peter Ogbobe, Director-General of the Project Development Institute (PRODA), reaffirmed the institute’s readiness to partner with NBTI in scaling innovative solutions for national development.
Day one of the Techno-Expo featured a vibrant exhibition of inventions from across NBTI centres in the South-East, including innovative, export-ready products created by Nigerian startups under the agency’s guidance. The event is expected to stimulate investment, inspire young innovators, and position Nigeria as a regional hub for tech-driven economic transformation.
