The Federal Government has assured that promising innovations showcased at the 2026 Enugu Tech Festival (ETF) will not end as ideas on display but will receive structured institutional support to become commercially viable products and enterprises.
This commitment was made by the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (FMIST) during the four-day Enugu Tech Festival held from 24–27 February 2026 at the International Conference Centre, Enugu. Representing the Ministry, the Honourable Minister, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, stated that ETF 2026 marks a deliberate shift from celebrating ideas to building businesses that generate measurable economic value.
According to him, the Federal Government is prioritising the commercialisation of research and innovation outcomes to ensure that creative solutions move beyond laboratories and exhibitions into the marketplace. He explained that the goal is to connect researchers, start-ups, investors and industry players within a coordinated ecosystem that supports scaling and sustainability.
Dr. Udeh emphasised that participants with viable and market-ready innovations emerging from ETF 2026 will receive the necessary institutional backing to transition from concept stage to commercial application. This includes structured guidance, policy alignment, and collaboration channels designed to help innovators refine prototypes, attract funding, and enter competitive markets.
He noted that this approach aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda, which positions science, technology and innovation as key drivers of industrial growth, job creation and national competitiveness. By strengthening linkages between research institutions and industry, FMIST aims to ensure that local talent and indigenous solutions power Nigeria’s economic transformation.
The Minister also commended Enugu State’s leadership in embedding technology into governance, security, education and public service delivery, describing it as a model of subnational innovation excellence. He said initiatives such as digital governance reforms and smart infrastructure projects demonstrate how technology can be intentionally deployed for inclusive development.
With ETF 2026, the Federal Government reinforces its mandate to energise, industrialise and commercialise Nigeria’s innovation potential, ensuring that breakthrough ideas evolve into enterprises that create jobs, generate income and solve real challenges across the country.
