FG moves to unlock commercial value of Nigerian research at South-West workshop

The Federal Ministry of Education has concluded its nationwide stakeholder consultations on research commercialisation with a renewed push to transform Nigeria’s vast research outputs into commercially viable products, businesses and jobs as part of efforts to drive economic diversification and position the country in the global knowledge economy.

The move came as the Ministry, through its Research, Innovation and Commercialisation Committee (RICC), in collaboration with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), commenced the South-West Zonal National Commercialisation Intelligence and Ecosystem Engagement Workshop in Ikeja, Lagos.

The two-day workshop, held from July 30 to 31, marked the sixth and final engagement in a series of zonal consultations designed to strengthen Nigeria’s National Research and Commercialisation Intelligence Ecosystem and accelerate the transition of research findings, innovations and inventions into market-ready products, services, enterprises and industries.

The event brought together policymakers, academics, researchers, industry leaders, investors, innovation hubs, development partners and financial institutions from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states to identify practical strategies for deepening collaboration and strengthening research commercialisation across the country.

Speaking at the workshop, Acting Chairman of RICC, TF Okujagu, described the South-West as a critical hub within Nigeria’s research and innovation landscape because of its concentration of universities, research institutes, industries, entrepreneurs and investors.

He noted that while Nigeria possesses abundant ideas, inventions and innovative talent, the country’s greatest challenge lies in the absence of a coordinated ecosystem capable of linking researchers with industry, government, finance and markets.

According to him, the zonal consultations were designed to identify regional strengths and challenges that will shape the proposed National Research-to-Commercialisation Framework.

Okujagu said a key outcome of the initiative would be the establishment of a National Commercialisation Intelligence System (NCIS), a unified digital platform expected to connect universities, research institutes, innovators, investors, industry players, financial institutions and policymakers.

He explained that the platform would provide visibility for research outputs, patents, technology readiness levels, funding opportunities, industry demands and investment pathways, enabling stronger partnerships and faster movement of innovations from laboratories to the marketplace.

Describing the NCIS as “a strategic national asset,” Okujagu said the platform would facilitate technology transfer, strengthen evidence-based policymaking and accelerate the commercialisation of research into enterprises, employment opportunities and national prosperity.

He added that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s agenda, championed by the Minister of Education and supported by TETFund, to drive economic development through innovation and make Nigeria more competitive in the global knowledge-driven economy.

Delivering the keynote address, RICC member, Engr. Umar Bindir, stressed the urgent need to bridge the long-standing disconnect between research institutions and industry.

He observed that despite Nigeria’s enormous intellectual capital and research capacity, weak collaboration among academia, government, investors and the private sector has prevented the country from fully harnessing the economic value of its innovations.

Bindir argued that research should extend beyond academic publications to produce practical solutions, competitive enterprises, quality jobs and sustainable economic growth.

He unveiled the National Research-to-Commercialisation (R2C) Initiative, explaining that it would establish a transparent national platform providing a comprehensive repository of research outputs, inventions, patents, industry needs, funding opportunities and investment intelligence.

According to him, the system would also generate real-time intelligence to support research collaboration, investment decisions, technology transfer and evidence-based policymaking.

He urged stakeholders across the South-West to contribute their research assets, market intelligence and expertise to ensure the success of the national initiative.

Bindir further highlighted intellectual property protection, access to finance, mentorship, market intelligence, technology transfer and industry partnerships as essential ingredients for successful commercialisation.

He encouraged researchers to focus on solving practical societal problems, develop market-driven innovations, secure intellectual property rights and engage investors early in the innovation process.

Participants at the workshop also underscored the importance of patents, trademarks, copyrights, industrial designs and trade secrets in protecting innovations, attracting investment and improving Nigeria’s competitiveness in domestic and international markets.

They commended TETFund for its sustained investments in research infrastructure, academic development and initiatives designed to bridge the gap between research and industry, describing its collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education through RICC as a significant step towards transforming research outputs into enterprises, jobs and sustainable national wealth.

The committee said insights gathered from all six geopolitical zones would be consolidated into a National Research-to-Commercialisation Framework that reflects regional priorities, industry needs and Nigeria’s diverse research capabilities.

RICC reaffirmed its commitment to working with government, academia, industry, investors, innovation hubs and development partners to build an innovation ecosystem capable of moving Nigerian research from discovery to innovation, innovation to enterprise, and enterprise to national prosperity.

The committee was established by the Federal Ministry of Education and is administered by TETFund, with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group providing strategic coordination and private sector-led technical support to strengthen Nigeria’s research, innovation and commercialisation ecosystem.