The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji, has strongly urged staff and entrepreneurs within the Board’s incubation programme to make product quality a strategic priority for successful commercialization and global competitiveness.
In a release signed by Reuben Shagu, Assistant Director and Head, Information and Public Relations at NBTI, Dr. Raji made this call during his recent tour of Technology Incubation Centres (TICs) in Lagos, Abeokuta, and Ibadan. He emphasized that quality is central to sustainable business growth, noting that, “Quality products deliver exceptional customer experiences, encourage repeat purchases, and foster brand loyalty. This is how our entrepreneurs will gain stability and scale in the market.”
Expressing concern over the continued preference for imported goods, Dr. Raji encouraged Nigerians to patronize locally made products, many of which he said are of superior quality. “We have world-class products made right here in Nigeria. Supporting them is not only patriotic—it is essential for job creation and national development,” he stressed.
In a bid to enhance product testing and quality assurance, Dr. Raji directed the immediate upgrade of laboratories across all TICs and warned against any compromise in quality assurance processes. “Our laboratories must be the gatekeepers of excellence. There must be zero tolerance for shortcuts,” he cautioned.
He also highlighted the importance of partnerships and collaboration, revealing that NBTI is building strong alliances with relevant agencies to ensure a more seamless business environment for entrepreneurs. “Partnership is the pathway to progress,” he stated.
Since assuming office in January 2025, Dr. Raji has initiated strategic engagements with various government institutions to strengthen inter-agency cooperation, all aimed at benefiting incubated enterprises. One of the significant achievements under his leadership is the successful passage of the NBTI Establishment Bill by the House of Representatives. The bill is now awaiting Senate concurrence.
“This landmark legislation, once enacted, will anchor NBTI on a solid legal foundation for the first time in its history, replacing the outdated military-era decree,” Dr. Raji said.
Commending the resilience of Nigerian entrepreneurs who continue to innovate despite existing challenges, he assured them of the Federal Government’s continuous support through the Technology Incubation Programme.
Dr. Raji further revealed that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, more Technology Incubation Centres, Technology Parks, and Innovation Hubs will be established across all geopolitical zones. These Parks, he said, will serve as launchpads for graduates of the incubation programme, enabling them to expand operations, utilize local raw materials, and contribute significantly to national prosperity.
He also praised President Tinubu’s visionary leadership and bold policies aimed at transforming Nigeria into a globally competitive industrialized nation, particularly through strategic engagements with international blocs like BRICS.
The ongoing inspection tour, Dr. Raji explained, reflects his commitment to ensuring that every region and state benefits from a vibrant, innovation-driven incubation ecosystem.
