The Federal Government has inaugurated a Ministerial Research and Innovation Commercialisation Committee (RICC) to bridge the longstanding disconnect between Nigeria’s research institutions and the industrial sector.
The inauguration ceremony, held on Wednesday at the Minister of Education in Abuja, was presided over by the Minister of Education, Dr Morufu Olatunji Alausa. The Minister described the initiative as a strategic move aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s higher education sector as a catalyst for national development.
“Nations that have achieved sustainable development and global competitiveness have done so by investing heavily in knowledge creation and, more importantly, in the effective commercialization of research outputs,” Alausa stated.
He disclosed that the Ministry, through TETFund, had been implementing several transformative projects to improve research infrastructure in tertiary institutions, but acknowledged that the commercialisation of research outcomes remained a challenge.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Education, Prof Suwaiba Said Ahmad, said “for too long, there has been a worrisome disconnect between academia and the industry, such that research being conducted in our tertiary institutions has become a mere tool for career advancement. This needs to change.” She added that the inauguration marked a major step towards bridging the gap between academic research and industrial application.
The committee, chaired by Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) Tayo Aduloju, comprises experts from academia, industry, government, and key agencies. Its mandate is to develop a framework that will “ensure that innovation does not end in academic journals or conference halls, but is brought to life through industrial application, commercialisation, and entrepreneurial ventures,” Ahmad explained.
Alausa also announced a ₦50 million Student Grant Venture Capital Initiative, designed to support undergraduate students in their final year with market-ready business ideas. The scheme, to be anchored by TETFund in partnership with the Bank of India, will promote student-led enterprises across Nigerian tertiary institutions.
