NBTI Generates 22,000 Employment Opportunities Through Community Incubation Centres -DG
The National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), says it has generated over 22,000 direct employment opportunities through its community incubation centres nationwide since its inception.
Dr. Uchenna Chukwu, the Director-General revealed this during an interview in Abuja on Wednesday.
Chukwu highlighted that any Nigerian entrepreneur with demonstrable innovative research and development (R&D) outcomes or local technology is eligible for admission to any of the incubation centres.
She emphasized that the NBTI will support these entrepreneurs until their ventures flourish and become self-sustaining.
Encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs, she urged them to actively collaborate with the board in advancing national development through the various centres located across the country.
“The key action for national development is productivity as it enhances GDP and the general wellness of the citizenry.Continuous production of goods and services in quality and quantity is our daily activity in NBTI.
“NBTI is the only agency of government mandated to commercialise R&D result and the coordination and management of technology incubation programme in Nigeria.
“Productivity translates to improvement, progress, job creation, wealth creation, change for better, higher income, better living standards,’’ NBTI boss said.
Also Read: Job Creation: Nigeria’s Industrial Training Fund calls for improved technical education
According to her, the quantity of goods and services available to people influences the quality of their social life, material advancement and enhances control of their environment, leading to overall development of the nation.
“Technology incubation is an enterprise support process that accelerates the successful development of start-up and fledgling companies by providing entrepreneurs with an array of targeted resources and services.
“NBTI has established a Technology Incubation Centre (TIC) in each State of the federation where proven R&Ds, Start-ups and fledging enterprises avail the entrepreneurs’ pertinent services and aids including common facilities.
“Beneficiaries are also availed commercial and administrative support as well as access to grants, funding sources, opportunities of partnership with investors and sales or export outlets.’’
She said that NBTI provided entrepreneurs support services to enable them to grow and become upgraded in various businesses and technology skills till they become free standing profitable enterprises.
According to her, the aim of NBTI is the continuous production, support and enablement of enterprises that will make the programme financially viable and freestanding.
“Graduates from our incubation centres have the potential to create jobs, revitalise neighbourhoods, commercialise new technologies as well as strengthen local and national economies,” she said.
NAN
