Many groundbreaking research projects in Nigerian universities never make it beyond classrooms and laboratories. The Federal Government says it wants to change that.
To help more research ideas become products, businesses and employment opportunities, the Federal Ministry of Education, through its Research, Innovation and Commercialisation Committee (RICC), has launched another phase of its nationwide engagement on research commercialisation.
The South-East Zonal National Commercialisation Intelligence and Ecosystem Engagement Workshop, held in Enugu in collaboration with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), is the second of six regional workshops planned across the country.
The initiative is designed to connect researchers, universities, investors, industries, innovators and government agencies with the goal of turning research findings into commercially viable products and services.
Speaking at the workshop, Enugu State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ndubueze Leonard Mbah, said research, innovation and skills development are central to the state’s economic transformation plans.
He noted that the government is investing in emerging technologies, entrepreneurship and practical skills to prepare young people for the future economy.
According to him, building a strong innovation ecosystem requires the participation of universities, artisans, entrepreneurs, persons with disabilities and players in the informal sector.
Acting Chairman of the Research, Innovation and Commercialisation Committee, TF Okujagu, said Nigeria’s biggest challenge is not the lack of innovative ideas but the inability to connect researchers with industries and investors.
He explained that the proposed National Research and Commercialisation Intelligence Ecosystem will create a unified digital platform linking researchers, inventors, innovation hubs, businesses, investors and policymakers.
The platform is expected to identify market opportunities, attract investment, monitor innovations from the research stage to commercialisation and support evidence-based policymaking.
Okujagu urged stakeholders to contribute ideas that will shape Nigeria’s National Research-to-Commercialisation Framework and strengthen the country’s innovation ecosystem.
Delivering the keynote address, technology expert Dr. Emmanuel Eze said Nigeria already produces talented researchers and quality academic work, but much of it fails to reach the market.
Drawing lessons from countries such as South Korea, Israel, China and the United States, he stressed the need for stronger university-industry partnerships, innovation funding, technology transfer offices and better protection of intellectual property.
He encouraged researchers to focus on solving real-life problems while calling on government, investors, industries and universities to work together to turn research into businesses, jobs and economic growth.
Also speaking, RICC member Engr. Umar Bindir presented the National Research-to-Commercialisation (R2C) Initiative, describing it as a collaborative model that brings together academia, government, industry, investors and development partners to strengthen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.
He said the initiative will provide a national inventory of research and innovation assets while helping investors and industries identify promising ideas with commercial potential.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.