Nigeria Association of Technology Incubation Entrepreneurs (NATIE) names NBTI DG/CEO, Dr Kazeem Kolawole RAJI as Chairman, Board of Trustees

The Nigeria Association of Technology Incubation Entrepreneurs (NATIE) has appointed Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji, Director General/CEO of the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), as the Chairman of its Board of Trustees. This appointment, announced during a courtesy visit by NATIE’s National Executive to NBTI Headquarters in Abuja, underscores a renewed commitment to fostering entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic growth through technology incubation in Nigeria.

NATIE, a body comprising incubatees, post-incubatees, and graduates of the Technology Incubation Programme, plays a pivotal role in sustaining business growth and innovation across various industries. Speaking on behalf of the association’s National President, NATIE’s National Secretary, Mr. Oson, congratulated Dr. Raji on his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as the DG/CEO of NBTI. He expressed confidence in Dr. Raji’s leadership and strategic vision, emphasizing the need for strong collaboration between NBTI and technology entrepreneurs to overcome current challenges.

As part of its proposal to deepen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem, NATIE advocated for the establishment of technology parks and hubs in each geopolitical zone to support post-incubation entrepreneurs and drive technological advancement. The association’s executives acknowledged NBTI’s crucial role in their business success, citing the agency’s support in commercializing research-driven innovations, securing grants, product registration, and standardization—all of which have enabled them to transition into CEOs and job creators in the Nigerian economy.

Dr. Raji, in his acceptance speech as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, expressed gratitude for the recognition and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the synergy between NBTI and NATIE. Drawing attention to notable success stories, he cited the remarkable achievements of a resident entrepreneur at the Technology Incubation Centre in Ilorin, who generated a ₦5.4 billion turnover in 2024 through an AI-driven emerging technology solution.

To further empower technology entrepreneurs, Dr. Raji unveiled plans to organize domestic and international exhibitions to showcase and market innovative products. He also reiterated his vision to establish world-class technology parks and hubs across Nigeria, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and fulfilling the administration’s campaign promises to drive industrialization and economic diversification.

NBTI remains committed to expanding strategic partnerships with key agencies to enhance support for technology incubation and entrepreneurship. This collaboration with NATIE marks a significant step toward building a robust, innovation-driven economy that creates sustainable jobs and opportunities for Nigerians.

Olajumoke David
Chief Information and Public Relations Officer
NBTI, Abuja