The Federal Government has moved to support Abia State’s drive to commercialise research, strengthen startup development and connect innovation with real economic opportunities through its national ECON programme.
The initiative, known as Energised Commercialisation Now (ECON), is designed to help states identify viable innovations, support researchers and startups, and transform academic research into commercially valuable products and businesses.
The Abia State Government disclosed that it has already begun implementing the Federal Government’s directive by setting up a state innovation committee through the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovations.
Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, announced the development while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting held at the Government House in Umuahia.
According to him, the Federal Government directed all states to establish innovation and commercialisation committees that will coordinate participation of innovators, startups, researchers, tertiary institutions and private sector stakeholders under the national programme.
Prince Kanu explained that Abia’s committee will focus on identifying credible innovators and commercially viable research projects capable of attracting investment, industry partnerships and wider market adoption.
“The committee will facilitate identification and participation of credible innovators, startups and researchers within the state,” he said.
“It will ensure progression and presentation of viable market-ready innovation and research outcomes, strengthen linkages between academia, industry and government stakeholders, promote inclusivity with focus on youth and women participation, support the success of the national ECON programme and technical sessions, while also developing a credible state research and innovation policy.”
The move signals a growing push by both the Federal Government and Abia State to solve one of Nigeria’s long-standing innovation challenges where research findings from universities and institutions rarely make it into the market or become scalable businesses.
Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr. David Kalu, said the programme is expected to bridge the gap between academic research and industry by helping innovators move beyond laboratory and theoretical work into commercial production and enterprise development.
According to him, the committee will include representatives from Abia State University (ABSU), Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic and private sector players.
He said the committee would coordinate innovators, researchers, startups and industrial stakeholders to identify commercially viable research with real economic potential.
“The committee will identify viable research projects, facilitate commercialization opportunities, strengthen academia-industry collaboration and support the presentation of commercially viable research outcomes at national innovation and technical sessions,” Kalu stated.
Industry observers say the initiative could create new opportunities for technology startups, local manufacturers, agritech innovators, clean energy developers and research-driven entrepreneurs in Abia if properly implemented.
The state government also disclosed that the committee would support the development of a comprehensive Abia State Research and Innovation Policy aimed at aligning research activities with the state’s economic priorities and local resource potential.
Kalu described the plan as a long-term strategy to position Abia as a practical innovation hub where research can directly contribute to job creation, industrial growth and economic expansion.
He said the government wants to encourage innovations that can move from idea stage to commercial deployment instead of remaining within academic institutions without practical application.
Part of the broader innovation drive already includes renewable energy research projects being tested in the state.
The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovations recently deployed a biogas-powered renewable energy pilot project in a secondary school in Owerrinta to test the affordability, scalability and acceptance of the technology.
According to the government, the project is also expected to generate research data that could support wider deployment of renewable energy solutions across schools and public institutions in the state.
Prince Kanu said the state is also preparing for a five-day STEM Week programme that will expose secondary school students to technology, ICT and innovation-focused learning activities.
The programme will include technology exhibitions, STEM engagement sessions and the launch of a dedicated STEM platform aimed at encouraging broader participation in science and technology education.
The government noted that the initiative would place special focus on youth and women participation as part of efforts to build a stronger innovation ecosystem in the state.
Nigeria Startup News reports that with the ECON programme now gaining traction in Abia, attention will likely shift to how effectively the state can convert research outputs into sustainable businesses, attract investors and create commercially successful startups capable of competing nationally and globally.
