The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming Nigeria’s research and innovation landscape as the Energise Commercialisation Now (ECoN) initiative entered its second day with intensive technical assessment sessions in Kano.
Speaking during the session, the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN stated that ECoN is strategically designed to accelerate the conversion of research outputs into market-ready products and services that will drive national development and enhance global competitiveness.
The Minister noted that the technical session—featuring the evaluation of innovations and research outputs by expert assessors—represents a critical step in bridging the long-standing gap between research and industry. He emphasized that the initiative provides a practical platform for collaboration among researchers, investors, and policymakers to unlock economic value from local innovations.
Dr. Udeh further stressed that the programme responds directly to the aspirations of Nigerians by supporting innovators in moving from ideas to viable enterprises capable of generating wealth and positioning the country competitively on the global stage.
He commended the First Lady of the Federation, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON for her support for the initiative, as well as the Kano State Government for hosting the programme and fostering an enabling environment for innovation in Northern Nigeria.
In his remarks, the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, reaffirmed the commitment of the state and the wider North-West region to the success of the initiative, pledging coordinated efforts to ensure its full implementation and tangible impact on livelihoods.