The Federal Government has disclosed plans to create a national policy and strategic partnerships aimed at turning scientific research produced in Nigeria into commercial products, industries and startups capable of driving economic growth and job creation.
The initiative, announced by the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (FMIST), is part of a broader national strategy to bridge the long-standing gap between research discoveries in Nigerian institutions and their real-world economic applications.
Speaking during a strategic meeting in Abuja with Commissioners of Science, Technology and Innovation from across the states, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN, said Nigeria must urgently begin converting its growing body of scientific research into market-ready products and businesses.
According to the minister, the country has invested significantly in research and development through universities, polytechnics and specialized research institutes, yet the economic benefits of many of these discoveries remain largely untapped.
“Too many valuable research outputs remain on laboratory shelves, in technical reports or academic journals without translating into products, services or enterprises that can transform lives,” Udeh said.
He explained that the Federal Government is therefore developing a National Policy on the Commercialization of Research and Development (R&D) Results and Inventions in Nigeria. The policy will serve as a national framework designed to help researchers, investors, industries and government institutions work together to move innovations from laboratories into the marketplace.
The planned policy is expected to guide how research findings can be transformed into scalable businesses, local manufacturing opportunities and technology-driven industries.
Udeh noted that many Nigerian scientists are already producing innovative solutions in sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, biotechnology, digital technology, health sciences, manufacturing and climate resilience. However, without structured commercialization pathways, many of these innovations fail to reach the stage where they can benefit the economy or create employment.
“In today’s global economy, national prosperity is increasingly determined by how effectively a country converts knowledge into economic value,” the minister said.
“To compete globally, Nigeria must move beyond research publications and begin building industries and enterprises from the knowledge generated within our institutions.”
As part of the new strategy, the ministry has constituted a committee that will develop the national commercialization policy. The committee will work on harmonizing federal and state innovation policies while also creating clear systems that allow private investors, venture capital firms and industry partners to support promising research-based ideas.
The Federal Government is also seeking stronger partnerships between universities, research institutes and industries to accelerate the commercialization process.
Udeh emphasized that state governments will play a major role in building innovation ecosystems capable of supporting technology-driven businesses and startups.
He called on state Commissioners of Science, Technology and Innovation to align their policies with the commercialization agenda and help create environments where researchers, entrepreneurs and investors can collaborate.
“States are critical to building vibrant innovation ecosystems. They must strengthen collaboration between tertiary institutions and industries, support innovation hubs and incubation centres, and promote demand-driven research tailored to their economic priorities,” he said.
The minister also highlighted the need for new financing models to support the commercialization process. These include public–private partnerships, venture capital funding, industry-sponsored research and the establishment of state-level innovation funds.
Such financial support, he explained, would help researchers and innovators scale prototypes into commercially viable products and launch technology-driven startups.
Another major focus of the initiative is youth participation in the innovation economy. The government says Nigeria’s large youth population represents a major opportunity to drive technological advancement and entrepreneurial growth if properly supported.
Udeh stressed the importance of creating structured programmes that support youth-led startups, women in science and innovation, and equitable development of innovation infrastructure across the country.
“If we succeed in commercializing our research outputs, Nigeria will reduce import dependency, stimulate local manufacturing, strengthen SMEs and create sustainable jobs,” he said.
“This is how we position our country competitively in the global knowledge economy.”
Also speaking at the meeting, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Philip Ndiomu Ebiogeh, said Nigeria already has a strong base of research institutions producing patents, prototypes and technological solutions.
However, he noted that the major challenge has always been turning those discoveries into businesses and industries that generate real economic value.
“The challenge before us is not the generation of knowledge but the conversion of knowledge into marketable products, enterprises, jobs and national wealth,” Ebiogeh said.
He explained that the strategic meeting with state commissioners was designed to strengthen collaboration between the federal and state governments, identify financing mechanisms, promote technology transfer systems and develop a coordinated roadmap for national innovation commercialization.
According to him, closer cooperation between governments, research institutions and private sector players will be essential to transforming Nigeria’s scientific discoveries into industries capable of powering long-term economic growth.
