The Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (FMIST) has unveiled a strategic national initiative to transform Nigeria’s scientific research outputs into commercially viable products, industries, and jobs, as part of efforts to drive innovation-led economic growth.
Speaking at a strategic meeting in Abuja on Wednesday with Honourable Commissioners of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) from across the states, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN, emphasized the urgent need to bridge the gap between research discoveries and market applications.
According to the Minister, Nigeria has made significant investments in research and development across universities, polytechnics, and research institutes, but has yet to fully harness the economic value of these investments.
“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,” the Minister said.
Knowledge Economy Critical for National Prosperity
Dr. Udeh noted that in today’s global economy, national prosperity is increasingly determined by a country’s ability to convert knowledge into economic value. He observed that Nigerian scientists and innovators are producing solutions in critical sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, biotechnology, digital technology, health sciences, manufacturing, and climate resilience, yet many of these innovations remain underutilized.
To address this challenge, the Minister announced the constitution of a committee to develop a National Policy on the Commercialization of Research and Development (R&D) Results and Inventions in Nigeria. The policy, he explained, will serve as a national blueprint to harmonize federal and state efforts, eliminate fragmentation, and provide a clear framework for researchers, investors, industry players, and development partners.
State Governments Critical to Success
Dr. Udeh stressed that state governments play a critical role in building vibrant innovation ecosystems. He called on Commissioners to:
· Align their STI policies with commercialization objectives
· Strengthen collaboration between tertiary institutions and industries
· Support innovation hubs and incubation centres
· Promote demand-driven research tailored to state economic priorities
The Minister highlighted the need for innovative financing mechanisms to support commercialization, including public–private partnerships, venture capital investments, industry-sponsored research programmes, and state-level innovation funds.
He further emphasized the importance of inclusiveness in the innovation ecosystem, noting that Nigeria’s youthful population represents a powerful engine for technological advancement. He called for structured support for youth-led start-ups, women in science and innovation, and balanced 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. This is how we position our country competitively in the global knowledge economy,” the Minister stated.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Philip Ndiomu Ebiogeh, described the meeting as a critical step towards transforming Nigeria’s research excellence into tangible economic outcomes.
He noted that while research institutions across the country continue to generate patents, prototypes, and technological solutions, the real challenge lies in converting these innovations into scalable enterprises and market-ready products.
“The challenge before us is not the generation of knowledge but the conversion of knowledge into marketable products, enterprises, jobs and national wealth,” he said.
The strategic engagement brought together Honourable Commissioners of Science, Technology and Innovation from across the federation, alongside key stakeholders in Nigeria’s science, research, and innovation ecosystem.