Nigeria Leads Africa’s Innovation Revolution: Unlocking N10 Trillion in Knowledge Assets

Nigeria is making strides towards becoming a leading force in Africa’s innovation revolution, as the Federal Government recently announced its ambitious goal to position the country at the forefront of technological advancement and sustainable development.

During a high-level summit focused on Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI), the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, outlined a three-point plan to revolutionize Nigeria’s RDI ecosystem: strengthening institutional frameworks, fostering public-private partnerships, and investing in human capital.

The Federal Government’s focus on innovation is clear, with the Minister emphasizing that through concerted efforts and strategic partnerships, Nigeria aims to propel itself to the top in Africa.

The summit, organized by the West and Central African Research and Education Network (WACREN) through its LIBSENSE initiative and supported by the UK Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), highlighted the importance of stakeholders’ commitment to shaping a brighter future for Nigeria.

Experts at the summit, including Dr. Udodirim Ugonna, representing the Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Prof. Hussaini Ibrahim, and Prof. Abubakar Sani, the President-elect of the Nigerian Academy of Science, underscored the critical role of innovation in development and the need for a collaborative approach to harness and consolidate research for policymaking and industrial development.

Dr. Shabihul Hassan of the International Agriculture Consulting Group shared insights from his 50 years in Nigeria, emphasizing the significance of international collaboration in sectors such as agriculture and power.

Omo Oaiya, Chief Strategy Officer at WACREN, and Dr. Mustapha Ayo Popoola, Executive Director of RIKE-SD, pointed out the challenges faced by Nigeria’s RDI sector, including a lack of coordination and fragmented efforts.

They called for a unified approach to transform the national RDI narrative and unlock over N10 trillion in knowledge assets.

The summit emphasized the importance of integrating research outputs into the annual programs of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and tailoring research for immediate adoption.

The journey to enhancing Nigeria’s global competitiveness through resilient RDI coordination is a collective endeavour that requires commitment, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.