The National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) has entered into a strategic partnership with UKALD Ltd. and the Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network (CBWN) to launch the Commonwealth-NBTI NextGen Innovation Challenge 2027, a programme aimed at supporting innovation and entrepreneurship across all 56 Commonwealth member countries.
In a statement signed by Ibrahim Agboola, Information and Public Relations Officer NBTI, he noted that the partnership was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday at Nigeria House, the Nigerian High Commission in London.
The signing ceremony was hosted by Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Abu-Obe Eche, and attended by the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NBTI, Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji, alongside representatives of UKALD Ltd., NBTI and the Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network.
According to NBTI, the initiative builds on its existing NextGen Innovation Challenge, transforming it into a Commonwealth-wide platform designed to identify, support and promote young innovators, entrepreneurs and technology-driven enterprises across member states.
The collaboration is expected to create new opportunities for innovation, investment and enterprise development by connecting participants with partners and stakeholders throughout the Commonwealth.
During the meeting, the parties also discussed plans to officially unveil the Commonwealth-NBTI NextGen Innovation Challenge 2027 at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) scheduled to hold in Antigua and Barbuda in November 2026.
The formal launch is expected to precede the full implementation of the programme in 2027.
NBTI said it remains committed to working with the Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network, UKALD Ltd. and other strategic partners to strengthen innovation ecosystems and expand opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs across the Commonwealth.
The statement was signed by Ibrahim Agboola, Information and Public Relations Officer, National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), Abuja.
