The Federal Government has launched the Tinubu Light Initiative, a nationwide renewable energy programme designed to provide affordable and reliable clean energy to one million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Nigeria.

The initiative, unveiled on Thursday by the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) during the National Showcase of the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2026 in Abuja, is expected to reduce production costs, stimulate industrial growth, create jobs and expand access to sustainable energy solutions.

Speaking at the event, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NBTI, Dr. Kazeem Raji, said the programme is projected to generate more than 50,000 direct jobs while promoting clean energy adoption, strengthening local manufacturing and improving the competitiveness of Nigerian businesses.

According to him, the initiative was conceived to address one of the major challenges confronting businesses in the country—high energy costs driven by unreliable electricity supply and heavy dependence on petrol and diesel generators.

"The Tinubu Light Initiative seeks to change this narrative. Through innovative financing models, strategic partnerships, renewable energy technologies and nationwide implementation, this initiative will provide affordable clean energy solutions to one million Nigerian MSMEs," Raji said.

He noted that lower energy costs would enable businesses to expand operations, increase productivity and reinvest savings into growth, while also encouraging cleaner communities and stronger local industries.

Raji added that the initiative would support local assembly and manufacturing of renewable energy equipment, reduce carbon emissions, strengthen financial inclusion through digital financing platforms and create more opportunities for women and young entrepreneurs.

Describing the programme as more than an electrification project, he said it also serves as an industrial policy, an employment strategy, a poverty reduction initiative and a practical climate action programme aimed at driving long-term national productivity.

He explained that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to position innovation, science, technology and entrepreneurship as key pillars of sustainable economic development.

Raji also highlighted the growing impact of the NextGen Innovation Challenge, revealing that the 2026 edition attracted thousands of entries from innovators working in renewable energy, agriculture, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, healthcare, manufacturing, education, financial technology, climate technology and industrial engineering.

He said the overwhelming response demonstrates Nigeria's vast innovation potential, stressing that the country's greatest challenge is not a shortage of ideas but the need to create an enabling environment that transforms innovation into globally competitive businesses.

According to him, the innovation challenge has evolved beyond a competition into a national platform that connects innovators with investors and promotes the commercialisation of indigenous technologies.

Reflecting on the programme's inaugural edition in 2025, Raji disclosed that one participant secured a £1.5 million investment commitment, while several agricultural innovations developed through the initiative are already improving productivity and reducing post-harvest losses in states including Kaduna and Bauchi.

He noted that many of the innovations emerging from the challenge have moved beyond the research stage and are already delivering practical solutions, creating employment opportunities, attracting investment and contributing to national development.

The NBTI boss reaffirmed the agency's commitment to identifying talented innovators through its Technology Incubation Centres across the country, mentoring startups, facilitating technology transfer and helping transform research outcomes into commercially viable products.

He further announced that the NextGen Innovation Challenge has secured the support of the Commonwealth Secretariat, paving the way for its expansion into a Commonwealth-wide initiative involving all 56 member nations.

Raji described the development as a significant milestone for Nigeria, saying it reflects growing international confidence in the country's innovation ecosystem and reinforces its role in shaping global technological advancement.

He also called on investors and development partners to support indigenous innovations capable of transforming critical sectors of the economy, including manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, financial services and renewable energy.

Addressing participants in the innovation challenge, he encouraged young innovators to remain committed to developing practical solutions to national challenges, assuring them of the agency's continued support in connecting innovative ideas with commercial opportunities.

The launch of the Tinubu Light Initiative comes as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to diversify the economy through innovation, renewable energy, technology commercialisation and enterprise development.

MSMEs account for the majority of businesses in Nigeria and remain the country's largest source of employment. However, many continue to face operational challenges due to unreliable electricity supply and rising energy costs, making the transition to affordable renewable energy a key component of the government's industrialisation agenda.