Abuja: The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, is set to lead advocacy efforts on a national programme focused on energy innovation and commercialisation, which aims to boost the nation’s economic development. This announcement was made by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, following a meeting with the First Lady at the State House.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the minister described the programme as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda initiated by President Bola Tinubu. It is also aligned with the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) of the First Lady. The programme’s goals include job creation and the commercialisation of innovative works to support economic growth and sustainability.
Dr. Udeh highlighted the First Lady’s involvement as crucial to ensuring the programme’s nationwide implementation. He emphasized that the project is designed to enhance economic growth and improve the financial capacity of citizens through their own productive activities.
The minister elaborated on the programme’s objective to connect research outcomes and inventions from high and research institutions across both public and private sectors to the market. This initiative aims to link researchers, inventors, and innovators with investors, with the Federal Government providing risk mitigation to boost investor confidence.
Dr. Udeh added that the government plans to leverage the First Lady’s RHI platform to engage grassroots Nigerians, encouraging them to participate in the innovation-driven programme. He noted that the First Lady’s involvement significantly enhances the project’s potential for success.