The [National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI)](https://nbti.gov.ng) led a delegation of 298 Nigerian innovators representing all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to London in October 2026, where they presented their projects to international investors with the aim of attracting capital, commercialising indigenous technologies and creating employment opportunities.
**What is the purpose of the London trip?**
The visit formed part of the 2026 [NextGen Innovation Challenge](https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/10/nbti-takes-298-nigerian- innovators-to-london-woos-global-investors/), a programme that expanded participation from 105 innovators in its previous edition to nearly three times that number, seeking to turn local ideas into viable businesses and support Nigeria’s ambition of a one‑trillion‑dollar economy.
The Director‑General of NBTI emphasized that building such an economy cannot rely solely on government action; it requires Nigerians who innovate, manufacture and invest. “A one‑trillion‑dollar economy cannot be built by government alone. It must be built by Nigerians who innovate, Nigerians who manufacture, Nigerians who invest,” he asserted.
He added that the real measure of success will be whether participants move beyond pitching ideas to securing funding and establishing sustainable enterprises. “Today is a celebration, but tomorrow is the real test,” he warned.
**How did officials respond to the event?**
Speaking on behalf of Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu, Ambassador Abu Obey Eche highlighted London as a strategic platform for linking Nigerian innovators with global capital and business prospects. “Diplomacy today must go beyond governments speaking to governments. It must also connect businesses to markets, innovators to investors, researchers to institutions, and Nigerian opportunities to global capital,” he said, urging the diaspora to lend expertise, resources and networks.
Investor Ms. Erin Grover expressed interest in backing at least one of the women entrepreneurs she met, noting, “I think there are some inspiring women here especially who I’ve been able to speak with today, and I definitely hope to invest in at least one of them coming out of this event.”
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Mukhtar Muhammad, pledged greater support for the initiative and suggested establishing state‑level platforms to spot promising innovators. “If there is a problem in the society and you identify that problem and you try to solve it, you are making more impact to the society than someone who is doing several degrees in university,” he remarked.
Hon. Tunde Doherty, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in the United Kingdom and Executive Director of UKALD, called on investors to explore the commercial potential of Nigerian inventions.
**What are the expectations for future outcomes?**
The ultimate test for the London showcase will be its ability to translate exposure into concrete results – investment deals, thriving businesses and new jobs for Nigerians.