NEXTGEN 2026 Is Now Open – Here Is What You Need to Know and How to Apply

The National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) has officially launched the NEXTGEN Innovation Challenge 2026, a national platform designed to help Nigerian innovators and startups gain access to international investors, development finance institutions, and private sector partners. 

The programme is organised by NBTI in partnership with UKALD, a UK-based consultancy firm, and carries the tagline: Inspiring Innovation. Driving Change. Shaping the Future.

At the launch event in Abuja, NBTI Director General Dr Kazeem Kolawole Raji was clear that NEXTGEN 2026 is not a competition but “a national development catalyst and a global innovation diplomacy platform.” The programme is built to move innovations from the laboratory into real markets, creating products, jobs, and revenue in the process.

The 2025 edition achieved significant success, it was officially adopted by the Commonwealth for implementation across 56 member states, featured 105 top innovators from across Nigeria, and concluded with a Grand Finale in London where the winning innovator secured £1.5 million in investment support to scale an advanced solar platform. The 2026 edition is built on that foundation.

How the Programme Will Run

The NEXTGEN 2026 Boot Camp is scheduled for July 2026 in Abuja, featuring expert-led training, prototype development, and mentorship with the support of Teesside University (UK), Google, and other international partners. 

The Grand Finale is set for October 2026 at the ExCeL Centre in London, or Toronto, Canada, where top innovators will showcase their solutions to a global audience of investors, policymakers, and industry leaders.

The programme will also feature an international edition in Doha, Qatar, targeting Middle East investors and sovereign wealth funds.

On the partnership front, the University of Toronto and African Impact Initiatives have formally agreed to partner with NBTI for the 2026 edition, creating a direct bridge between frontier academic research and market-ready innovation.

Which Sectors Are Being Targeted?

NEXTGEN 2026 will prioritise high-impact sectors including artificial intelligence and robotics, advanced semiconductors, telecommunications with 6G and AI integration, green and renewable energy, climate resilience and flood detection systems, agri-tech, health-tech, edu-tech, women in tech and gender-inclusive innovation, as well as virtual reality and 3D manufacturing.

What Selected Innovators Will Receive

Selected innovators will benefit from mentorship, business development support, branding exposure, and access to investors during the Boot Camp and Grand Finale. The challenge offers opportunities to refine ideas, gain expert guidance, and secure pathways to funding or incubation.

How to Apply

Here is everything you need to know if you want to apply:

Who can apply: The challenge is open to Nigerian citizens. Participants can apply individually or as a team.

Application deadline: Submit your entry before May 28, 2026. Selected innovators will be invited for screening, mentorship, and participation in the NEXTGEN 2026 Boot Camp and Grand Finale.

Application fee: There is no registration fee for applying to the NextGen Innovation Challenge.

How to apply: Interested applicants should visit the portal at https://nextgeninnovation.ng/nextgen-2026-portal

Important note: Late applications will not be accepted.

For enquiries, you can reach the organisers at info@nextgeninnovation.ng or visit http://www.nextgeninnovation.ng