President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Interface Africa and its Chief Executive Officer, Al’amin Muhammed Idris, for emerging as the winner of the prestigious NextGen Innovation Challenge, securing a £1.5 million cash award at the grand finale held on Thursday at the Hilton London Paddington.
Interface Africa, representing Kaduna State, clinched the top prize for its groundbreaking initiative in providing affordable solar financing solutions to small businesses across Africa.
The NextGen Innovation Challenge, a national initiative spearheaded by the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) in collaboration with UKALD London, aims to unlock the innovative potential of Nigerian youths in alignment with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, President Tinubu lauded Interface Africa’s efforts in driving clean energy access and empowering small businesses. He noted that the award will further support the company’s mission to expand access to sustainable energy in underserved communities.
“The innovative potential of Nigerian youths is boundless,” the President affirmed, emphasizing his administration’s ongoing commitment to policies and programmes designed to harness and catalyse this vital national resource.
President Tinubu also commended the other 104 participants in the challenge for their creativity and resilience, urging them to continue innovating, improving lives, and shaping the future of humanity.