By Juliet Peters and Nafisat Abdulrahman
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, has launched the Energise Commercialisation Now (ECoN), an initiative of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu as part of efforts to transform research outcomes and innovative ideas into viable economic products and services. The initiative seeks to reposition Nigeria as an innovation-driven economy by commercialising indigenous research and empowering youths and women.
During the official launch in Kano, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh SAN disclosed that it is a strategic step towards bridging the gap between knowledge creation and economic impact in Nigeria.
According to him, although Nigeria has recorded significant progress in research and innovation over the years, many outcomes have failed to translate into marketable products due to limited access to funding, markets, and commercialisation pathways.
“ECoN is not an event. It is a national commercialisation architecture deliberately engineered to move innovation from concept to capital and from prototype to prosperity,” he said.
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The Minister explained that ECoN is designed as a national innovation ecosystem to be deployed across the country’s geopolitical zones to encourage interstate collaboration, shared ownership, and the exchange of ideas and best practices.
“Energise Commercialisation Now is focused on transforming innovative efforts of ordinary Nigerians, especially youths, women and entrepreneurs, into prosperity for them, their families and the nation,” he added.
He further stated that the initiative will leverage regional institutional frameworks, promote healthy competition among states, and strengthen accountability through peer review mechanisms.
The Minister said ECoN is building a market-facing, result-driven ecosystem with global partners such as the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to ensure that Nigerian innovations meet international standards and achieve global competitiveness.
Highlighting the structure of the programme, he said ECoN will feature technical sessions, solution showcases, investor-ready pitch presentations, and expert assessments of innovations, culminating in deal rooms where innovators will engage directly with investors.
He also revealed that a digital commercialisation platform is being developed to connect researchers and innovators with investors and industry players globally, while providing continuous technical and legal support.
According to him, the platform is expected to sustain the gains of the initiative, create thousands of jobs, and scale up Nigerian innovations to compete internationally.
The Minister noted that the programme aligns with the Federal Government’s broader economic agenda of achieving a one trillion-dollar economy, adding that recent developments in the innovation ecosystem indicate a shift from policy aspiration to execution.
He commended the Wife of the President and First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for championing the initiative, noting that her support has enhanced its visibility and national acceptance.
He also appreciated the North-West Governors Forum and the Kano State Government for hosting the event, describing it as a milestone in positioning Kano as a hub for innovation and enterprise.
Speaking at the event, the Wife of the President and First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who officially launched the programme, commended the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology for spearheading the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention to address gaps in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.
She noted that although the country is rich in creativity across universities, innovation hubs, and among young people, many ideas do not translate into real-world solutions due to systemic challenges.
The First Lady emphasised the need to create an enabling environment where ideas are supported and talent is nurtured, adding that the initiative represents a strategic step towards commercialising research outputs, creating jobs, and driving inclusive economic growth.
In his remarks, Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, described the launch as a significant milestone, noting that Kano’s selection as host underscores its growing role in advancing innovation-driven development in the northern region.
“The initiative will help bridge the long-standing disconnect between research outputs and market application to enable transformation of academic ideas into commercial products and scalable enterprises,” he said.
The Governor added that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope agenda on industrial growth, youth empowerment, and economic productivity. He also highlighted efforts by his administration to strengthen science, technology and innovation through investments in digital infrastructure and technical education, while appreciating the First Lady for her continued support to the state.
Activities for the programme continued through 24 and 25, 2026, with exhibitions, innovation showcases, and stakeholder engagements. The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) is participating with an exhibition stand, where it displayed research-based innovations on the opening day and will continue showcasing its products and technologies throughout the event.
