The Federal Government has launched the Tinubu Light Initiative (TLI), a nationwide renewable energy programme aimed at providing affordable clean power to one million micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), creating 50,000 direct jobs and accelerating Nigeria’s transition to an innovation-driven economy.
The initiative was unveiled alongside the National Showcase of the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2026 in Abuja, where the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Mukhtar Yawale Muhammad, said the twin programmes would transform indigenous ideas into commercial enterprises while strengthening industrialisation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking on behalf of the minister, Muhammad described the event as the convergence of innovation, enterprise, renewable energy and national economic transformation.
“Today is far more than the launch of two programmes. It marks the convergence of innovation, enterprise, renewable energy and national economic transformation. It demonstrates the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to building a Nigeria where ideas become industries, innovation creates prosperity and technology transforms lives,” he said.
He said President Tinubu had placed innovation, technology, industrialisation, renewable energy and human capital development at the centre of Nigeria’s economic agenda through policies that encourage research, entrepreneurship, local manufacturing and private sector investment.
According to him, the ministry is driving the commercialisation of research by ensuring innovations move beyond laboratories into viable businesses capable of creating jobs and wealth.
“Innovation must not remain inside laboratories; research must not end in journals. Ideas must become products, products must become businesses, businesses must become industries, industries must create employment, and employment must generate prosperity. That is the pathway to sustainable national development,” he said.
The minister commended the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) for developing the NextGen Innovation Challenge into a national innovation ecosystem that discovers talent, prepares innovators for investment, protects intellectual property and accelerates the commercialisation of Nigerian technologies.
He noted that several innovations from the inaugural edition had already secured strategic partnerships and international investment, while others were improving agricultural productivity in states including Bauchi.
On the Tinubu Light Initiative, the minister said the programme would deploy renewable energy solutions to one million businesses, reduce production costs for MSMEs, expand financial inclusion and promote inclusive economic growth.
“When we provide affordable clean energy to Nigerian entrepreneurs, we are not simply switching on lights. We are switching on businesses, industries, opportunities and the Nigerian economy,” he said.
He added that the expansion of the NextGen Innovation Challenge into a Commonwealth initiative covering 56 member countries reflects Nigeria’s growing global recognition as an emerging innovation hub.
Earlier, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), Dr Kazeem Kolawole Raji, described the launch of the two flagship programmes as a defining moment in Nigeria’s journey toward becoming a globally competitive innovation economy.
“Today represents the convergence of vision, leadership, innovation, enterprise and national purpose. Nigeria boldly announces to the world that our greatest natural resource is neither oil nor gas, but the ingenuity, resilience, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of the Nigerian people,” Raji said.
He disclosed that the maiden edition of the NextGen Innovation Challenge had produced remarkable outcomes, including one innovator securing a £1.5 million investment commitment, while several homegrown agricultural technologies are already improving productivity and livelihoods in Kaduna, Bauchi and other states.
“When Nigerian innovation is properly nurtured, professionally presented and strategically supported, global investors respond with confidence. This achievement is a powerful vote of confidence in Nigeria,” he said.
Raji said the 2026 edition attracted thousands of applications across sectors such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, biotechnology, healthcare, manufacturing, education, fintech and climate technology.
On the Tinubu Light Initiative, he said the programme would provide affordable renewable energy to one million MSMEs through innovative financing models and strategic partnerships.
According to him, the initiative is expected to create over 50,000 direct jobs, reduce business operating costs, encourage local manufacturing of renewable energy equipment, strengthen financial inclusion and improve Nigeria’s competitiveness.
“This initiative goes beyond electrification. It is an industrial policy, an employment strategy, a poverty reduction programme, a climate action initiative and a national productivity agenda. Above all, it is a practical investment in the future prosperity of Nigeria,” Raji stated.
He added that partnerships with UKALD, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the British High Commission and the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs had helped position the NextGen Innovation Challenge as a Commonwealth-wide initiative while opening new opportunities for Nigerian innovators.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Gigawatt Global, Josef Abramowitz, announced the company’s commitment to provide up to 500 million dollars in project financing for solar power projects in Nigerian universities.
Abramowitz said the financing package, which would cover up to 90 per cent of project costs, is subject to bankable 25-year power purchase agreements and agreed milestones with universities and state governments.
“We’re honoured to present up to 500 million dollars in project finance, representing 90 per cent financing for solar power plants at universities that will also anchor rural electrification for surrounding communities,” he said.
He explained that the initiative would reduce universities’ dependence on costly diesel generators by providing between 10 and 20 megawatts of solar power per institution, with excess electricity supplied to neighbouring rural communities through prepaid metering.
Abramowitz added that the projects would prioritise local content by sourcing solar panels, mounting structures, cables and maintenance services from Nigerian companies.
“We’re going to buy our panels in Nigeria, our solar racking in Nigeria and our cables in Nigeria. The idea is to keep as many of the jobs locally as possible. Nigeria first,” he said.