The Federal Government has launched a new effort to help Nigerian innovations and research move from the lab to the marketplace.
Kingsley Tochukwu-Udeh, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, shared the plan on Wednesday in Kano during a press conference before the launch of the Energise Commercialisation Now (ECoN) project.
He said that ECoN aims to link inventors, innovators, and research institutions with investors ready to turn ideas into successful products and solutions.
“Nigeria is not bereft of ideas. The challenge has always been turning these inventions into market revenue and solutions. This is what Energise Commercialisation Now seeks to do,” Tochukwu-Udeh said.
The minister said the Federal Government is working with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and groups like the North-West Governors’ Forum to speed up the project. He added that the initiative will help young people, women, and researchers by giving them direct access to investors and business opportunities.
He said the project aims to create jobs, grow industries, support entrepreneurship, and boost Nigeria’s leadership in science, technology, and innovation. The ministry has already received over 1,000 entries, with Kano having the most submissions, which highlights its role as Nigeria’s “Centre of Commerce.”
The ECoN project will officially launch on Thursday in Kano. First Lady Senator Remi Tinubu and the wives of North-West governors are expected to attend.
Tochukwu-Udeh also said the initiative has already led to more successful research, as innovators now see that their work can bring investment, income, and recognition.
