Abuja: The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology (STI), Dr Kingsley Udeh, stated that the Federal Government is prioritising strategic STI development to strengthen Nigeria’s scientific capacity and position the country as a leading scientific hub in Africa. Udeh made this known while hosting the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Kuo Sharper Center Foundry Fellows in his office.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Udeh emphasized that Nigeria’s STI vision is bold and clear, with an ambition to become one of the world’s leading scientific powers, as outlined in the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy. He noted that while Nigeria is not short of inventions, challenges remain in translating research outcomes into market-ready solutions. The ministry is focusing on strengthening the commercialisation pipeline for Research and Development (R and D) results to bridge the gap between research and the market.
Udeh disclosed that the ministry is developing a national policy aimed at commercialising R and D results, inventions, and innovations. This policy represents a shift from a supply-driven approach to a demand-led innovation ecosystem, backed by key legislative and policy instruments. Among these, he highlighted Presidential Executive Order No. 5, which prioritises Nigerian professionals and locally developed technologies in public procurement and infrastructure projects.
The minister mentioned that central to this proposed policy is the Gross Domestic Expenditure on R and D framework, referred to as Nigeria’s Innovation Monetary Policy. He noted that for the first time, the country will systematically measure its R and D investment, which currently stands at 0.16 per cent of GDP, based on World Bank estimates. Udeh reiterated the government’s commitment to meeting the African Union’s recommended target for R and D investment.
Udeh further disclosed plans to launch a Commercialisation Fund to provide staged financing, from proof-of-concept to full-scale deployment. This initiative aims to revitalise the national network of technology incubation centres and innovation hubs. He also stressed his responsibility in providing leadership and institutional support across the broader STI ecosystem, ensuring that entrepreneurs receive financial backing, access to partnerships, networks, and market linkages.
He called upon the Foundry Fellows to collaborate with Nigerian innovators through technology transfer, co-development, and investment initiatives. Earlier, Dina Sherif, Executive Director of the MIT Kuo Center Foundry Fellows, explained that the visit aimed to expose the 2025-2026 cohort of Fellows to Nigeria’s entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem. She mentioned that this engagement would enable the Fellows to understand how leading Nigerian actors navigate growth, volatility, and structural constraints in a dynamic business environment.