Nigeria set to roll out a nationwide initiative aimed at transforming local inventions into commercially viable products. As the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology prepares to launch the “Energise Commercialisation” programme.
The initiative announced by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh. During a visit to Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, at the State House in Abuja.
First Lady Named Champion of the Initiative
During the meeting, the minister revealed that the First Lady will serve as the national champion of the Energise Commercialisation programme. Helping drive awareness and implementation across the country.
The programme aims to identify, support, and commercialise innovative ideas and inventions developed by Nigerians. Particularly those created by young people and grassroots innovators.
According to the minister, the goal is to move Nigeria away from its long-standing reliance on imported technologies and instead position the country as a hub for innovation and homegrown technological solutions.
Taking Innovation to Every Corner of Nigeria
As part of the rollout, the programme will embark on a nationwide awareness and outreach campaign. Teams will visit schools, institutions, and communities across all 36 states to identify individual. With creative ideas and inventions that could be developed into commercial products.
The minister emphasized that the initiative will not only focus on highly educated innovators but will also target individuals in rural communities. Who may have practical inventions but lack the resources or exposure to develop them.
“We will be going to schools at all levels and reaching every corner of the country, including people who may not be formally educated but have innovative ideas,” the minister said.
Empowering Youths and Women
The Energise Commercialisation programme is expected to place strong emphasis on youths and women, groups seen as critical drivers of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.
Through mentorship, exposure, and commercialization support. The government hopes to help these innovators turn ideas into real businesses capable of creating jobs and economic value.
Officials believe the initiative could help unlock Nigeria’s vast pool of untapped creativity and technical talent.
Positioning Nigeria in the Global Technology Race
The minister also stressed that Nigeria must actively participate in the ongoing global technology revolution. Rather than remain a consumer of innovations developed elsewhere.
By supporting local inventions and startups, the government aims to build a stronger innovation ecosystem. That can contribute to national economic growth and technological advancement.
Programme Set for Nationwide Rollout
The closed-door meeting with the First Lady signals that preparations for the programme are already underway. With sensitisation activities beginning ahead of a full nationwide rollout.
Once fully launched, the Energise Commercialisation programme is expected to discover and nurture commercially viable inventions across Nigeria. Providing a platform for local innovations to scale their ideas and compete on the global stage.
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