FG Closes North West ECoN in Kano, Signals Push for Innovation Commercialisation

The Federal Government has formally closed the North West edition of the Energise Commercialisation Now (ECoN) initiative in Kano, marking the end of a three-day programme aimed at accelerating the commercialisation of research outputs and homegrown innovations across Nigeria.

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, declared the programme closed at a ceremony in Kano, describing the initiative as a major step towards building a knowledge-driven and innovation-led economy.

Udeh commended participants, partners and stakeholders for their contributions, noting that the programme had reinforced the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming research ideas into viable enterprises capable of driving economic growth and job creation.

He said the conclusion of the initiative signals the beginning of a new phase focused on implementation, stressing the need to translate innovation into commercially viable solutions.

The minister also reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to strengthening policy frameworks, boosting investment in innovation ecosystems and supporting innovators to scale their ideas, while describing Kano as a strategic hub for enterprise development in Northern Nigeria.

Udeh expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support and leadership in ensuring the success of the initiative.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammad, called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders, urging state governments to create enabling environments that connect universities, research institutions and investors to drive innovation to full commercialisation.

The Secretary to the Kano State Government, Umar Faruk Ibrahim, described the initiative as a strategic platform for sustainable economic development, noting that it would enhance collaboration between federal and state governments as well as key stakeholders.

The ECoN programme featured technical sessions, innovation assessments and strategic engagements designed to bridge the gap between research and the marketplace.