The Federal Government has described the Energise Commercialisation Now (ECoN) initiative, as a people-centred and non-political programme designed to bridge the gap between research, innovation, and commercialisation by connecting inventors, researchers, and investors.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Udeh, disclosed this while briefing journalists ahead of the national launch of the initiative in Kano.
According to the minister, the programme will feature a digital dashboard where verified research outcomes and innovations will be uploaded and assessed for credibility. He explained that the platform will enable investors, including venture capitalists from across the globe, to identify and fund viable projects with confidence.
Dr. Udeh noted that Kano was chosen to host the national launch due to its strategic position as a major commercial hub, as well as the support received from key stakeholders, including the First Lady of Nigeria, the Northwest Governors Forum, and the Kano State Government, which provided funding, logistics, and moral backing for the initiative.
He further explained that the platform is designed to ensure that only bankable and thoroughly evaluated innovations are showcased, thereby boosting trust and unlocking investment opportunities within Nigeria’s science, technology, and innovation ecosystem.
“This is the beginning of a transformative journey. We are committed to ensuring that this initiative does not end here but grows into a sustainable platform that supports innovation-driven development,” he said.
The minister added that several federal agencies within the science and technology sector are participating in the programme. These include institutions focused on raw materials research, technology incubation, and the conversion of innovative ideas into practical solutions.
The event has already attracted wide participation from across the Northwest, with delegations from the seven states arriving in Kano and setting up exhibition pavilions, while national participants are also expected as the programme moves toward its official flag-off.
Also speaking, the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, welcomed the minister and his delegation, describing the initiative as a landmark project for the state and the country.
He said the launch of ECoN in Kano represents a significant opportunity to transform Nigeria’s approach to research, innovation, and local content development, adding that it has the potential to reshape the national economic landscape.
Waiya emphasized that with Nigeria’s growing youth population, the initiative provides a platform to harness their potential productively, create employment opportunities, and stimulate economic growth.
He expressed optimism that the programme would open new pathways in Nigeria’s economic development framework, enabling more opportunities for innovation-driven enterprise and sustainable development.
KHADIJAH ALIYU
