"Energise Commercialisation": Nigeria Launches Nationwide Initiative to Transform Local Inventions into Marketable Technology

Nigeria launches the "Energise Commercialisation" programme to support local inventors. First Lady Oluremi Tinubu named champion of the youth and women-focused initiative.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 11, 2026, 5:46 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Nation Newspaper

Repositioning Nigeria as a Technology Innovator

In a strategic move to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported technology, the Federal Government has announced the "Energise Commercialisation" programme. The initiative aims to create a robust ecosystem where local inventions are not just developed but successfully brought to the global market. During a meeting at the State House in Abuja, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, emphasized that the programme is a cornerstone of the administration's plan to transition the country from a consumer of foreign tech to a self-sufficient innovator.

First Lady Appointed as Programme Champion

A key component of the programme’s rollout is the appointment of First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu as its national "Champion." In this role, the First Lady will lead mobilization and advocacy efforts, utilizing her office to ensure the initiative reaches every state of the federation. This high-level endorsement is intended to provide the political will and visibility necessary to attract both grassroots participation and private sector investment. Minister Udeh noted that the First Lady’s leadership would be instrumental in targeting those who have traditionally been left out of the formal innovation sector.

Focus on Youth and Women Innovators

The "Energise Commercialisation" initiative places a specific emphasis on empowering young Nigerians and women. By providing mentorship, funding, and legal support for patenting, the government hopes to unlock the potential of entrepreneurs who possess commercially viable ideas but lack the infrastructure to scale them. The programme is designed to bridge the "valley of death"—the difficult period between the initial invention and its commercial viability—ensuring that Nigerian intellectual talent translates into national economic growth.