By Chinonso Onunkwo
The National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) successfully hosted the inaugural South East Techno Expo on May 6-7, 2025, at the Technology Incubation Centre, Lomalinda Estate, Independence Layout, Enugu, drawing participation from stakeholders across the innovation and enterprise ecosystem. The two-day event, themed “Nurturing Research and Development (R&D) and Innovation to Drive Nigeria’s Economic Growth Using Technology Incubation as a Tool,” spotlighted the critical role of technology incubation in fostering sustainable economic development.
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Enugu State Office, joined the event with a great exhibition stand showcasing its contributions to indigenous technology development and support for entrepreneurs.
Presenting the keynote address, the Director-General of NBTI, Engr. Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji represented by Dr. Mrs. Clarice Ngozi Chijioke, underscored the need to prioritize innovation and technology in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He cited national challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and limited access to capital, and reaffirmed NBTI’s commitment to supporting start-ups through well-quipped incubation centers and strategic partnerships.
The DG further described the maiden expo as a significant milestone in the region’s economic transformation agenda praising also the collaborative efforts between public institutions and private innovators and expressed optimism that the event would catalyze more regional hubs for technology incubation
You Might AlsoLike
The Zonal Director for NBTI South East Zone, Dr. Mrs. Clarice Ngozi Chijioke, described the expo as a platform to ignite regional collaboration and support for innovation. She acknowledged challenges in the zone but expressed optimism about the growing interest and capacity for homegrown technological solutions.
Prof. Gozie Ogbodo of IMT challenged educational institutions to align research with industrial needs, emphasizing that innovation, not natural resources, drives sustainable national wealth. He called for greater empowerment of youth through skills development and entrepreneurship.
The DG PRODA, Dr. Peter Ogbobe, pledged full support for NBTI’s initiatives in the South East, as well as RMRDC’s and others.
The South East Techno Expo 2025 stands as a landmark event in the region’s push for an innovation-led economy, showcasing the growing synergy between government agencies, research institutions, and the private sector.
As Nigeria navigates its post-oil economic trajectory, the South East Techno Expo signals a growing recognition of the pivotal role that innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship must play in shaping a resilient and inclusive future
