ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal Ministry of Education has announced a major move to strengthen Nigeria’s innovation system with the planned creation of a National Design and Development Agency.
This new agency will focus on turning local ideas into market-ready solutions, offering vital support like funding access, product development, and business scaling.
The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, made this known during a strategic tour of Inov8 Hub in Abuja, a key center for local innovation. Dr. Alausa stated, “Nigerians are among the most creative people globally, but they need structured support to thrive.”
He revealed that the Federal Government will also launch a National Research and Development Fund Agency to provide grants for impactful innovations.
“We’re enabling direct collaborations between innovators, manufacturers, and investors,” he said, highlighting the government’s plan to connect creative solutions with industries and market opportunities.
During the tour, Dr. Alausa inspected local technologies including cassava dryers, shredders, and modular poultry pens, praising their potential for rural development and job creation.
He spotlighted the Poultry Empowerment Programme as a game-changer for smallholder farmers. “These prefab pens are not just equipment, they are tools for food security and income generation,” he noted.
The Minister encouraged innovation hubs to seek sustainable models. “Innovation must be sustainable. From subsidies, we must move to self-sufficiency,” he added.
He appreciated TETFund and other stakeholders for their ongoing efforts, reaffirming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to driving national development through education, research, and technology entrepreneurship.