The Federal Government is intensifying efforts to convert scientific research produced in Nigeria’s universities, polytechnics and research institutes into products, startups and industries capable of creating jobs and driving economic growth.
Officials say the initiative is aimed at addressing a long-standing challenge in which many innovations developed in Nigerian laboratories fail to move beyond academic papers or research reports.
The renewed push formed the focus of a strategic meeting convened in Abuja by the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology. The meeting brought together state commissioners for science, technology and innovation, heads of agencies and industry stakeholders.
Among those in attendance were the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh; the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Philip Ndiomu Ebiogeh; the Director-General of the National Board for Technology Incubation, Kazeem Kolawole Raji; and the Kogi State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Helen Adeniyi.
In his keynote address, Udeh said Nigeria must move beyond producing academic research and begin converting knowledge into products, services and businesses that can support national development.
“Too many valuable research outputs remain on laboratory shelves, in technical reports or in academic journals without translating into products, services or enterprises that can transform lives,” he said.
He added that economic strength is increasingly defined by the ability to turn knowledge into value rather than by natural resources alone.
Udeh also announced the establishment of a committee to develop a National Policy on Commercialization of Research and Development Results and Inventions. He said the policy would serve as a framework for collaboration between federal and state governments.
According to the minister, state governments play a critical role in building innovation ecosystems because industries, startups and research institutions largely operate at the subnational level.
“Public funding alone cannot drive this transformation. We must explore partnerships and create investor confidence through transparency, regulatory clarity and protection of intellectual property,” he said.
In his remarks, Ebiogeh stressed the need for deliberate systems that can convert research knowledge into economic value.
“Nigeria cannot afford to remain a nation where research findings gather dust on shelves. We must deliberately build systems that support patenting, prototyping, incubation, venture financing and market access,” he said.
Raji highlighted ongoing efforts to support young innovators through programmes such as the NextGen Innovation Challenge, which encourages youths to develop commercially viable innovations.
He said the competition attracted about 3,000 entries within three weeks last year, while more than 1,000 applications have already been received for the 2026 edition.
“Our goal is to ensure that Nigerian youths become employers of labour. If each innovation creates jobs for 20 or 30 people, imagine the multiplier effect on employment and GDP,” he said.
Adeniyi commended the federal government for convening the meeting and pledged Kogi State’s continued collaboration in promoting research commercialization.
She said the meeting is expected to produce a national roadmap with timelines, responsibilities and measurable targets to strengthen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem, boost local manufacturing and create sustainable jobs.
