The Federal Government has disclosed plans to launch a new initiative known as the Energise Commercialisation programme to help Nigerians, especially youths and women, transform their inventions and innovations into viable businesses.
The programme was revealed by the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Dr Kingsley Udeh, during a courtesy visit to the First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, at the State House in Abuja.
According to the Minister, the visit was to formally inform the First Lady of her appointment as the Champion of the Energise Commercialisation initiative, which aims to support innovators across the country.
Dr Udeh explained that the programme is designed to help Nigeria move from being a technology-importing nation to becoming a technology-innovating nation by encouraging local inventions and supporting their commercial development.
He noted that many Nigerians, particularly young people, already possess creative ideas and innovations that could become successful enterprises if given the right support.
“The initiative aims to transform Nigeria from a technology-importing nation to a technology-innovating nation,” Udeh said.
He further explained that the programme will actively identify Nigerians with commercially viable ideas and help them turn those ideas into real products and businesses.
“We will be going to schools, at all levels, nooks and crannies of the states, to reach even the unlettered that have such inventions and innovations. We have the brains and we will be helping them achieve their goals,” the Minister stated.
The Energise Commercialisation programme is expected to be taken across all states of the federation, with the First Lady leading national sensitisation efforts targeted mainly at youths and women.
