FG to energise commercial inventions nationwide, unveils First Lady as programme champion
…initiative targets youth, women innovators across states …move aimed at shifting Nigeria from technology importer to innovator The Federal Government has announced plans to launch a nationwide programme to support
...initiative targets youth, women innovators across states
...move aimed at shifting Nigeria from technology importer to innovator
The Federal Government has announced plans to launch a nationwide programme to support and commercialise homegrown inventions, as part of efforts to transform Nigeria into a technology-driven innovation hub.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, disclosed this on Tuesday during a visit to the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the State House in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the First Lady on Media, Busola Kukoyi, Udeh said the initiative, tagged “Energise Commercialisation,” is designed to identify and promote commercially viable inventions and innovations across the country, particularly among youths and women.
He revealed that the ministry has chosen the First Lady as the Champion of the programme, a role that will see her lead advocacy and mobilisation efforts as the initiative is taken to all states of the federation.
According to the minister, the programme is aimed at repositioning Nigeria from being largely dependent on imported technology to becoming a nation that develops and commercialises its own innovations.
He explained that the initiative would strengthen the capabilities of young Nigerians who possess marketable ideas but lack the support structures required to bring them to commercial reality.
Udeh noted that sensitisation activities for the programme had already begun and would soon expand nationwide.
“The programme will go across all states of the federation under the leadership of the champion, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu,” he said.
He added that the outreach would cover schools and communities at all levels to ensure that inventors from diverse backgrounds, including those without formal education, are not left out.
“We will be going to schools at all levels and into the nooks and crannies of the states to reach even the unlettered who have inventions and innovations,” the minister said.
According to him, Nigeria possesses immense intellectual talent that can drive technological advancement if properly supported.
“We have the brains, and we will be helping them achieve their goals,” Udeh stated, stressing that the country must take deliberate steps to participate fully in the ongoing global technology revolution.
“Nigeria cannot be left out of the world technology revolution,” he added.
The minister’s meeting with the First Lady was held behind closed doors, but officials said it signalled the imminent commencement of the Energise Commercialisation programme.
The initiative is expected to focus largely on youths and women, with the aim of unlocking grassroots innovation, encouraging entrepreneurship and fostering the development of commercially viable technologies that can contribute to national economic growth.
The programme also aligns with broader efforts by the Federal Government to deepen Nigeria’s science, technology and innovation ecosystem and promote indigenous solutions capable of competing in the global technology landscape.
