By Shedrack Akunna (Science and Technology Reporter)
The Federal Government has intensified efforts to transform Nigeria into a knowledge-driven, innovation-led economy with the unveiling of a comprehensive framework to commercialize research outputs and drive industrial growth.
Speaking at the National Workshop on Commercialisation of Innovation and Research held at the UN House, Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN emphasized that Nigeria must urgently bridge the gap between research and market to unlock economic value, create jobs, and enhance global competitiveness.
The Minister disclosed that the Ministry is finalizing a National Policy on the Commercialisation of Research and Development Results and Inventions, aimed at providing a structured and scalable pathway for translating innovations into market-ready products and industries.
As part of this strategic push, he announced the launch of a flagship national initiative, Energize Commercialisation Now (ECoN), designed to identify viable innovations, facilitate industry partnerships, unlock financing, and position Nigeria as a production-driven and export-oriented economy. The programme is scheduled for official rollout next month in Kano he added.
Dr. Udeh noted that this initiative is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritizes economic diversification, job creation, and sustainable growth through innovation-driven industrialisation.
He further observed that while Nigerian universities and research institutions continue to generate cutting-edge ideas, a lack of coordination, weak industry linkages, and limited access to funding have hindered their commercial impact, stressing that ECoN will address these structural challenges while promoting patenting, licensing, and the growth of university-based startups.
The Minister underscored the critical role of the private sector, stating that sustainable commercialisation must be driven by industry, investors, and entrepreneurs, with government providing the enabling environment and policy support.
In his remarks, the Director of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Nigeria Office, Dr. Oluwatobiloba Moody, commended the initiative and reaffirmed WIPO’s commitment to supporting Nigeria through technical expertise, capacity building, and global best practices in intellectual property management.
The workshop, which brought together key stakeholders including academia, government agencies, innovators, and international partners, focused on strengthening intellectual property systems, enhancing technology transfer, and accelerating the transition of research from laboratories to the marketplace.
The Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology reaffirmed its commitment to fostering strategic partnerships and driving programmes that will ensure Nigerian innovations become globally competitive assets for sustainable economic development. NNL.
