By Abdullahi Yusuf
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday in Kano launched the Energise Commercialisation Now (ECoN) initiative, marking a major step in the Federal Government’s drive to transform research and innovation into economic growth.
With the theme: “From Innovation to Industry: Energising Commercialisation,” the initiative signals a strategic push to bridge the gap between ideas generated in research institutions and their practical application in industry.
Launching the initiative, Tinubu described Nigeria as a country rich in creativity and innovation, noting that many ideas developed in universities and innovation hubs fail to reach the marketplace due to systemic challenges.
She said the ECoN initiative aims to address these gaps by creating an enabling environment that supports talent, nurtures innovation, and facilitates the transition of ideas into viable enterprises.
According to her, the programme aligns with the agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises industrialisation, digitisation, and economic diversification.
The first lady stated that the initiative would promote job creation, boost productivity, and contribute to Nigeria’s long-term goal of achieving a $1 trillion economy.
She emphasised inclusivity in the innovation ecosystem, calling for greater participation of women and youth.
She said broad-based involvement would strengthen families, enhance national security, and drive sustainable development.
Declaring the programme open, Mrs Tinubu said the initiative would begin in the North-West and expand across all geopolitical zones of the country.
In his remarks, Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf described the launch as historic, noting that Kano’s selection as host reflects confidence in the state’s capacity to lead innovation-driven development in northern Nigeria.
Yusuf said the initiative would help bridge the long-standing disconnect between research outputs and market application, enabling the transformation of academic ideas into commercial products and scalable enterprises.
He said that the programme aligns with the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on industrial growth, youth empowerment, and economic productivity.
He highlighted ongoing efforts by his administration to strengthen science, technology, and innovation, including investments in digital infrastructure and technical education.
The Governor said the state is positioning itself as a hub for innovation-led industrialisation in the region.
He commended the First Lady for her contributions to Kano State, including donations to education, support for vulnerable groups, and empowerment programmes for women, farmers, and persons with disabilities.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Kingsley Tochukwu, in his address, said the ECoN initiative was designed to convert Nigeria’s research outputs into economic value.
Tochukwu described it as a “national commercialisation architecture” aimed at moving innovation from concept to capital and from prototype to prosperity.
He noted that the initiative would include technical sessions, investor-ready presentations, and “deal rooms” where innovators can engage directly with investors.
A digital platform is also being developed to connect researchers with industry players and provide ongoing technical and legal support.
According to the minister, the programme has already recorded early progress, attracting over 1,000 innovation entries and securing initial investment commitments.
He added that the initiative would be deployed across all regions, fostering collaboration among states and creating a networked national innovation ecosystem capable of driving economic transformation and global competitiveness.
The launch underscores the federal government’s commitment to repositioning science, technology, and innovation as key drivers of Nigeria’s economic development.