The Federal Government has launched Energise Commercialisation Now (ECoN) as a flagship initiative to turn research and innovative ideas into market-ready products and thriving industries capable of driving Nigeria’s economic growth.
Unveiled as part of a broader push to reposition the country as a knowledge-driven, innovation-led economy, the programme is designed to bridge the long-standing gap between research institutions and the marketplace. Speaking at the National Workshop on Commercialisation of Innovation and Research in Abuja, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN, stressed the urgency of translating academic outputs into economic value.
“Nigeria must urgently bridge the gap between research and the market to unlock economic value, create jobs, and enhance global competitiveness,” he said.
ECoN is structured to identify viable innovations, connect them with industry partners, and unlock financing needed to scale them into commercially viable ventures. The initiative also aligns with ongoing efforts by the ministry to finalise a National Policy on the Commercialisation of Research and Development Results and Inventions, which will provide a clear and scalable framework for moving ideas from laboratories into real-world applications.
According to the Minister, the programme reflects the priorities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in promoting economic diversification, job creation, and sustainable growth through industrialisation driven by innovation.
While acknowledging the abundance of ideas coming out of Nigerian universities and research institutions, Dr. Udeh pointed out that weak coordination, limited funding, and poor industry linkages have prevented many of these innovations from reaching the market.
“ECoN will address these structural challenges while promoting patenting, licensing, and the growth of university-based startups,” he stated.
The initiative places strong emphasis on private sector participation, with government expected to provide policy direction and an enabling environment. “Sustainable commercialisation must be driven by industry, investors, and entrepreneurs,” the Minister added.
Also speaking, the Director of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Nigeria Office, Dr. Oluwatobiloba Moody, commended the move, noting that strengthening intellectual property systems and technology transfer mechanisms would be critical to its success. He reaffirmed WIPO’s commitment to supporting Nigeria with technical expertise and global best practices.
Stakeholders at the workshop, including academia, government agencies, and international partners, highlighted the importance of collaboration in accelerating the transition of research into commercially viable solutions, positioning ECoN as a central driver of Nigeria’s innovation economy.
