The Federal Government has sent a bill to the National Assembly seeking legislative backing for the establishment of the National Research and Innovation Development Fund and Council, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN, has disclosed.
Udeh said the Federal Executive Council had already approved the establishment of the fund and council, with the bill now before the National Assembly to provide statutory backing for the initiative.
He disclosed this during a recent interview on Arise News Prime Time.
According to the minister, the proposed framework is aimed at creating sustainable funding for research and development, particularly research with commercial potential.
He said the proposed legislation would provide for a dedicated and consolidated source of funding for research and development, with emphasis on projects capable of being commercialised.
Udeh also disclosed that the government was working to encourage private-sector investment in research and development, noting that the private sector would have to play a major role in funding innovation.
He said the tax law also contains provisions that allow companies and institutions to devote part of their taxable income or revenue to research and development.
The minister cited Turkey as an example, saying 60 percent of its research and development funding comes from the private sector.
Udeh said the government was also working with the education sector to ensure that research was increasingly driven by market needs rather than being conducted solely for academic purposes.
“So we will be prioritizing market demands on research.”
He said the approach would help connect universities and research institutions directly with industry and potential investors.
The minister also disclosed that the government was engaging to establish an innovation grid, hub or database in Nigeria at an estimated cost of $18 million.
According to him, the platform would catalogue innovations and inventions emerging from Nigerian universities and research institutions, enabling investors and technology companies to identify available intellectual property and engage researchers or institutions.
He said the project was expected to contribute significantly to the Nigerian economy and would not require government budgetary funding.
Nigeria is seeking up to $1 billion in investments and commercial partnerships from Silicon Valley investors over the next 12 months as the Federal Government moves to turn locally developed research into marketable products and services.
The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, SAN, disclosed this in New York after a series of meetings with technology executives and investors on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Udeh said the engagements focused on the Federal Government’s Energize Commercialisation Now (ECoN) programme, which seeks to bridge the gap between research conducted in Nigerian institutions and the commercial production of innovative goods and services.
“We engaged with big players in Silicon Valley who are interested in investing in Nigeria, particularly as it relates to our flagship programme called Energize Commercialisation,” Udeh said.
According to the minister, the proposed partnership is expected to attract private capital and expertise into Nigeria’s science, technology and innovation ecosystem while creating opportunities for job creation and economic growth.
He said the initiative also supports President Bola Tinubu’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy by expanding the contribution of technology, innovation and private-sector investment.
“Consistent with Mr. President’s agenda of taking our economy to a $1 trillion GDP, we have been able to meet key players from Silicon Valley,” he said.
Udeh said an agreement between Nigeria and prospective partners had already been drafted, with the memorandum of understanding (MoU) forwarded to Abuja for review.
He said the parties were expected to sign the agreement during the UN General Assembly meetings, subject to the completion of the necessary processes.
Although the minister did not disclose the names of the companies or investors involved, he said the proposed collaboration could deliver “substantial value” to Nigeria’s science and innovation sector and the wider economy.
He put the potential value of the investments, commercial partnerships and other economic opportunities arising from the discussions at as much as $1 billion within one year.
“From the discussions we have had, if we pull in the various opportunities that have been discussed and are already reflected in the MoU, Nigeria can get from this intervention as much as $1 billion in the course of one year,” he said.
Udeh also highlighted the involvement of Nigerians working in Silicon Valley as a significant aspect of the discussions, saying their expertise and connections could help open opportunities for Nigeria.
“A very interesting and cheering aspect of the engagement I had in the course of UNGA is that key members of the Silicon Valley players are Nigerians,” he said.
“It is impressive that we have Nigerians making things happen in Silicon Valley, and they are happy to bring these opportunities home to add value to Nigerian science, technology and innovation.”
The proposed deal comes as the Federal Government seeks to attract diaspora expertise and private investment to strengthen the commercialisation of research and reduce the gap between innovations developed in Nigerian institutions and their adoption in the marketplace.
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has conferred an Award of Recognition on the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh (SAN), in honour of his contributions to science, innovation, technology and national development.
The award was presented during the university’s 55th Convocation Ceremony, where Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State delivered the institution’s convocation lecture on experiential learning, human capital development and inclusive prosperity.
Reacting to the honour, Udeh described the recognition by his alma mater as humbling and dedicated the award to Nigerian scientists, researchers, innovators, technologists, entrepreneurs and development practitioners.
“I express my profound appreciation to the University Council, Senate, Management, staff, students, alumni, and the entire University community for this distinguished honour.
“I dedicate this recognition to every Nigerian scientist, researcher, innovator, technologist, entrepreneur, and development practitioner whose unwavering commitment continues to advance the frontiers of scientific discovery, technological progress, and national development,” he said.
The minister said the award had strengthened his resolve to deepen research commercialisation and strengthen collaboration between academia, industry and government in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.
“This honour further strengthens my resolve, as the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, to accelerate policies that deepen research commercialisation, strengthen the academia-industry-government nexus, promote indigenous innovation, catalyse technology transfer, and position science, technology, and innovation as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrial competitiveness, economic resilience, and sustainable prosperity,” he stated.
Udeh also congratulated the graduating Class of 2026 and commended the university’s Governing Council, Senate, management, staff, alumni and the wider university community for sustaining UNN’s legacy in academic excellence, research, innovation and nation-building.
The minister was among several dignitaries who attended the convocation ceremony, including Governor Peter Mbah, Deputy Governor Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, Deputy Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Ezenta Ezeani, Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Most Rev. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, and Senator Ikeje Asogwa.
Earlier, Governor Mbah delivered the 55th Convocation Lecture titled “Restoring the Dignity of Man: Enugu’s Quantum Leap in Human Development and Inclusive Prosperity Through Experiential Learning,” where he advocated a fundamental shift in Nigeria’s education system from certificate acquisition to experiential learning and innovation.
The governor argued that education should produce problem-solvers and innovators capable of transforming knowledge into productivity and shared prosperity, highlighting his administration’s investments in Smart Green Schools, technical education, digital literacy, healthcare, technology and infrastructure as part of Enugu State’s human capital development strategy.
He disclosed that the state has consistently committed about one-third of its annual budget to education, established 268 Smart Green Schools across the 260 political wards, trained over 23,000 teachers in digital literacy and recently approved the recruitment of an additional 4,698 teachers to strengthen the initiative.
Commending the governor’s presentation, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, and Chairman of the occasion and former Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, praised Mbah’s achievements in human capital development and his administration’s developmental strides across sectors within three years in office.
2023 Enugu Guber: Aspirant, Kingsley Udeh, meets party excos, expresses readiness to serve
Chetanne Chinelo, Enugu
As the date set for the Peoples Democratic Party gubernatorial primary election draws near, a leading contender for the position of Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, Esq., has paid glowing tributes to the Governor, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and expressed his readiness to meritoriously serve as Governor when elected.
Udeh, 41, made the call, Friday, when he paid a visit, as part of his consultative strategies, to the state executives of the party led by Hon. Augustine Nnamani.
Dr. Udeh, a Lawyer, Notary Public, scholar and development expert with international experience spanning close to two decades, explained that he believed in rendering service to the society and doing charitable deeds without publicity and fanfare.
He described Governor Ugwuanyi as his mentor and a man who gave him the opportunity to be in Government, thereby providing the fertile ground that saw to his emergence as an aspirant of the party.
Udeh addressing party executives
“I have come today to appreciate and thank the state executives of our great party. Without PDP, there would not have been the administration of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi in Enugu State. It is political parties that run for elections in Nigeria.
“So, I am here like one of you, because I recognize that you as the party, are the ‘engine’ of our politics.
“Our Governor appointed me as a Senior Special Assistant on Development Aid in 2017. Then, in 2019, he appointed me as his Special Adviser on Education.
“Apart from these, my governance experience as an international development expert is close to twenty years. I have also lectured at the Nigerian Law School and in Baze University, Abuja.
“I’m currently a Visiting Senior Lecturer at the Law Faculty of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, my Alma mater, where most of my services are ‘pro bono’. This is because I believe in service and giving back to the society.
“I also studied in the University of Nottingham, UK, for my Master’s degree and in University of Stellenbosch, South Africa for my PhD. I have given something back to all these communities, that is in line with my character and upbringing. Till date, I still hold an academic position in the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, as a Research Fellow, where I undertake scholarly work to support the school.
“Apart from this academic work, I have been a development consultant for many years. I have consulted for UNICEF, UNDP, World Bank, African Development Bank and I still consult for the Nigerian Governors Forum.
“This consultancy work, in the area of public procurement, public finance management and public policy has made me experienced working in all the states of the Federation, and I’m still consulting for the Federal Government”
“Our Governor mentored me and I have learnt well. I shall be consolidating on his legacies, especially that of peace and development, since both are sacrosanct for good governance”, he noted.
Reiterating his commitment to public service, something he described as being ingrained in him, he said “I am a servant, that is the way I was brought up. I now want to serve the party and the state in another dimension.
“I believe that once something is agreed upon as a family, it should be adhered to. I believe there is zoning in Enugu State for the office of Governor and that it is the turn of Enugu East Senatorial District. I’m from Enugu East Senatorial District and I feel that if I present myself to serve as an aspirant and if I become your candidate and eventually get elected, that I shall serve you diligently as Enugu State Governor.
“I have the experience and capacity for the job. Zoning is only meant for stability. I will not run an Nkanu Agenda, no, I will run an Enugu Agenda. I don’t believe in discrimination; Nkanu, Nsukka, Awgu, Agbaja, no. Having lived in different parts of Nigeria and different parts of the world, I believe we are all one”.
He recounted how he had been supporting the party structure at the State, LGA and ward levels since he joined Governor Ugwuanyi’s Government, through Christmas packages and other means, to the extent of his financial capacity.
“Again, I have the youthful energy. If Government is really about service, not for grandstanding, I believe that I can effectively render this service, if you send me.
“Today, in France, Macron with his youthful passion for service was returned to office as President, unlike most of his predecessors who served for a single term, owing to the ‘difficult-to-please’ nature of the French electorates. Just like him, I believe that by the time I’m through with my first tenure, you shall be pleased to ask me to go back for another tenure”.
Giving a glimpse of his family background, to establish the moral burden he bears, he recounted that his mother was a teacher and his father served as Director, Public Prosecution in the old Anambra State, Solicitor General, Acting Attorney General and eventually as a judge of Enugu State, before he retired.
He urged the party leaders to rate him and other aspirants from their antecedents and their background.
The state party Chairman, Hon. Augustine Nnamani, welcomed the aspirant on behalf of the party executives, while confirming that Udeh had always served the party with his time, talent and treasure.
“The officials of our great party acknowledge the love and recognition that you have shown the party in the past years. You have always silently supported the PDP Excos at the State, in addition to your LGA and ward”, Nnamani said.
Dr. Kingsley Udeh is an alumnus of the College of the Immaculate Conception (CIC) Enugu, holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of Nigeria, a Master of Laws Degree (Nottingham, Uk) and Doctor of Laws (LLD/Ph.D) from the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.
He has lectured in the Law Faculties of Baze University, Abuja, and the University of Nigeria, Enugu, as well as in the Nigerian Law School.
