The Federal Government of Nigeria has formally launched its flagship innovation programme, “Energise Commercialisation Now (ECoN)”, in Kano State, marking a bold step toward transforming research outputs into market-driven solutions and accelerating Nigeria’s industrial growth.
The high-profile launch, which serves as the North-West regional rollout and pilot phase of the programme, attracted top dignitaries from across the country, including state governors, federal officials, innovators, and industry stakeholders.
The event was led by Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, who performed the official unveiling as Special Guest of Honour.
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Designed to bridge the long-standing gap between research, innovation, and commercialization, the ECoN initiative aims to convert ideas from universities, research institutions, and development centres into marketable products, revenue streams, and practical solutions to national challenges.
Government officials at the event emphasized that the programme represents a strategic shift from theory to practice, ensuring that innovations developed within the country do not remain in laboratories but are transformed into viable industries and job-creating enterprises.
The three-day programme began with the official launch on Thursday, while Friday and Saturday have been set aside for technical sessions focusing on innovation development, commercialization pathways, partnerships, and investment opportunities.
These sessions are expected to bring together researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers, creating a platform for refining innovations into investment-ready ventures capable of contributing meaningfully to national development.
The North-West geopolitical zone, covering seven states, was selected as the pilot region for the initiative, making the Kano event the first phase of what is expected to become a nationwide programme across all six geopolitical zones.
Officials explained that the pilot would provide an opportunity to test the implementation framework, identify challenges, and strengthen strategies before the initiative is expanded nationwide.
At its core, the programme is designed to commercialize research and development outputs, strengthen collaboration between academia and industry, create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and reduce the country’s dependence on imported technologies. Stakeholders believe that if effectively implemented, the initiative could unlock the economic value of locally developed innovations and position Nigeria as a leading hub for technology-driven solutions on the African continent.
Speaking on inclusiveness during the event, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, assured that innovators at the grassroots would not be left behind in the implementation process.
Responding to a question from GLOBAL TRACKER on how local innovators would be integrated into the programme, the minister said all the three tiers of government would be fully involved, adding that state governments would play a central role in ensuring that innovators at the rural and local levels are fully engaged.
“All the three tiers of government will be fully involved, and the state governments will be saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that innovators at the rural and local levels are fully engaged,” the minister said.
He explained that involving the federal, state, and local governments would ensure that the benefits of the initiative reach communities across the country and that local innovators are given the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from the commercialization drive.
The minister noted that the success of the programme depends on building an inclusive innovation ecosystem where ideas from grassroots communities can be identified, nurtured, and developed into scalable solutions with real economic value.
The launch of the ECoN programme signals a new phase in the Federal Government’s effort to reposition science, technology, and innovation as pillars of economic transformation. With Kano hosting the pilot launch, the state now occupies a strategic place in the national innovation agenda, as the country seeks to convert local ideas into industries, create sustainable jobs, and strengthen homegrown solutions to developmental challenges.