By Moyofoluwa Ogunyemi
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening government–academia–industry partnerships through research, innovation and commercialization, stressing that such collaboration is vital for sustainable development. This commitment was emphasized at the Research to Commercialization (R2C) Toolkit Development Workshop, held on 27th October 2025 at Providence Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, organized by the Nigerian Impact Investing Research Industry Collaborative (NIIRIC) in partnership with the Impact Investors Foundation (IIF). The workshop convened stakeholders from government, academia, industry, and development sectors to review the R2C Toolkit and discuss strategies for translating research into commercially viable products and services.
While delivering his goodwill message, the Director of Investment Promotion and Consultancy Services, Mr. Mohammed Adamu Yaro, representing the Director-General of RMRDC, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso commended the workshop as a timely and vital initiative that align with the RMRDC’s long-standing goals and ongoing efforts to promote research-driven industrial growth. He noted that RMRDC had identified a gap between research outputs and market-ready solutions caused by weak collaboration and limited investment linkages. To address this, he stated that the Council partnered with 37 universities across all six geopolitical zones, including Ahmadu Bello University and the University of Lagos, establishing liaison offices to identify and promote market-focused research. These collaborations, he added, are already yielding promising technologies and prototypes capable of attracting investment and driving industrial transformation.
Mr. Yaro also cited the Raw Materials Demonstration Plant Complex in Abuja as an innovation hub, hosting several patented pilot projects ready for investment. He thereafter encouraged investors and private sector players to explore opportunities to scale and commercialize these projects, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in transforming research outputs into viable industrial solutions.
Earlier in her opening remarks, the Chief Operating Officer, Impact Investors Foundation (IIF), Mrs. Chizoba Ada Emmanuel-Awakessien, lamented that only about 2% of Nigeria’s research outputs reach commercialization stage, describing this as alarming. She explained that the “From the Lab to the Market Toolkit” provides a roadmap for transforming research into market-ready solutions, offering tools for intellectual property protection, funding access, and regulatory navigation, while promoting economic diversification and indigenous innovation. Mrs. Awakessien emphasized the toolkit’s stage-gated approach to track progress, manage risk, and accelerate innovation, noting its potential for job creation, wealth generation, and building a knowledge-driven economy. She noted that collaborative effort could strengthen the innovation ecosystem and foster a self-reliant Africa.
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Echoing this, Dr. Olayinka Adewumi, Director of the Innovation and Technology Management Office, University of Lagos, noted that Nigeria’s universities possess immense research capacity but often lack commercialization pathways due to weak industry linkages and limited IP awareness. She commended NOTAP’s support in establishing TTOs and described the R2C Toolkit as a vital framework that unites academia, government, and investors to drive innovation-led growth. She emphasized the need for continuous mentorship, access to finance, and policy support for research-based startups.
Also speaking at the event was the Director of Technology Innovation and Commercialisation at the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Mrs. Ada, who emphasized that innovation must go beyond academic recognition to economic impact. She highlighted NOTAP’s collaboration with universities, particularly UNILAG, where Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) have strengthened IP protection and promoted commercialization.
During breakout sessions, participants including the RMRDC team proposed strategies to strengthen IP systems, create sustainable funding mechanisms, and foster academia–industry partnerships.
In closing, the Chief Operating Officer of IIF, Mrs. Mokolo-Oladunke, thanked participants and reiterated that sustainable economic growth depends on research-backed innovation.
