The Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on the International Conference on Science, Technology and Innovation (STICONF 2026) has intensified consultations with critical stakeholders in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem following a strategic courtesy visit to the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) in Abuja.
The delegation, led by the Chairman of the IMC and Local Organising Committee (LOC), Dr. Victor Fadipe, was warmly received by the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NBTI, Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji, alongside members of the agency’s management team.
Speaking during the visit, Dr. Fadipe described NBTI as a strategic institution in Nigeria’s drive for innovation, entrepreneurship and technology commercialisation, noting that the agency’s role aligns strongly with the objectives of STICONF 2026.
He explained that the conference is designed to serve as a continental platform for collaboration among governments, academia, research institutions, industries, innovators and development partners with the aim of accelerating science, technology and innovation-driven development across Africa.
According to him, STICONF 2026 will provide opportunities for policy dialogue, technology exhibitions, investment engagement, startup incubation partnerships and cross-border innovation collaborations that will strengthen Africa’s innovation ecosystem.
Dr. Fadipe commended NBTI for its sustained efforts in promoting indigenous technologies, supporting startups and driving technology incubation initiatives across the country. He said the committee considered the agency a critical stakeholder whose participation would add immense value to the conference.
He further called on NBTI to actively participate in the conference and mobilise innovators, technology entrepreneurs, incubatees and other relevant stakeholders under its network to be part of the international gathering.
In his remarks, Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji expressed appreciation to the committee for the visit and reaffirmed NBTI’s commitment to initiatives that promote innovation, research commercialisation and enterprise development in Nigeria.
He noted that the agency remains focused on creating a thriving ecosystem for technology-based enterprises and supporting innovative solutions capable of driving economic growth, job creation and industrial development in line with national priorities.
The NBTI boss described STICONF 2026 as a timely initiative that would further deepen collaboration among innovation stakeholders while showcasing Nigeria’s growing capacity in science, technology and innovation.
The meeting also featured discussions on possible areas of partnership between STICONF 2026 and NBTI, particularly in the areas of startup development, innovation incubation, technology transfer and youth entrepreneurship.
The visit forms part of the ongoing stakeholder engagement drive by the IMC ahead of STICONF 2026, which is expected to attract participants from government institutions, academia, research organisations, private sector players, innovators and international development partners across Africa and beyond.
