The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) is steadily moving Nigeria to new heights in socio-economic contraptions since the emergence of Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu as the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Agency.
NASENI’s resolve and drive toward investment or promotion of research commercialization have been profound. And in collaboration with sister agencies and international partners, NASENI has expanded its vision or capacity building in this critical area, which has become a cornerstone for socio-economic growth and development in the country.
NASENI is drawing examples from developed countries that have made progress with this critical sector like China, Japan, South Korea, India, and the West who are known leaders in research commercialization because they have invested enormous funds to the sector with astounding results in product fabrication, leading to their respective successes in global competitiveness.
The Agency has energized Nigeria and is significantly increasing its focus and investment in research commercialization in line with various federal initiatives, including the recent inauguration of a ministerial committee to bridge the academia-industry gap, the launch of a ₦50 million student venture capital fund, and the NASENI Research Commercialization Grant Programme (NRCGP) to support viable research and development (R&D) projects.
NASENI has pulled resources together to pursue this onerous task and its efforts align with the “Renewed Hope Agenda,” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aimed at building a knowledge-based economy through transformation of research outputs into marketable products and services.
The energy, vision and motivation to deepen Nigeria’s drive to important output through research commercialization was demonstrated recently when the Agency hosted North-Central Sensitization Programme on the NASENI Research Commercialization Grant Programme (NRCGP), on Wednesday, 24th September 2025 at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking at the Sensitization Programme, Halilu stressed the importance of addressing financial and administrative setbacks often faced by research projects even as he reaffirmed that research commercialization remains central to Nigeria’s economic development.
The EVC who was represented by NASENI’s Research Director, Prof. Abdulmalik Ibrahim Onuwe stated that the NRCGP was designed to support viable research and development initiatives in the country, which also propagates NASENI’s mission and vision.
According to him, the application process is fully digitalized, transparent, and does not require physical presence or long administrative procedures. “This sensitization is not just for personal benefit but also to empower prospective researchers from institutes who may seek guidance about the programme,” Halilu said.
He urged participants, including representatives from universities, the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), National Space Research and Development Agency (NSRDA), among others to take full advantage of the opportunities provided by NASENI to foster collaboration and innovation.
Presenting an overview of the NRCGP, Programme Coordinator and Special Adviser to the EVC on Science and Engineering Commercialization, Engr. Dr. Anas Balarabe Yazid, highlighted the objectives, eligibility criteria, and key assessment tools of the programme.
He emphasized that the grant aligns with NASENI’s mandate to promote local content, noting that under the NASENI principle of Creation, Collaboration and Commercialization (3Cs), it is being radically prioritized. “Every research project must be noble, clear, market-viable, and align with NASENI’s transformation agenda and Nigeria’s broader development goals,” he said.
In her vote of thanks, Deputy Director, Planning and Policy Analysis, Ms. Joy Elugbe expressed appreciation to the EVC and participants, encouraging researchers to embrace NASENI’s initiatives as a pathway to national progress.
Because of the crucial nature of research commercialization, other key government agencies have identified various roles they are playing to enrich the sector. The other players include TETFund, which is funding research infrastructure and organizing innovation fairs, and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) funding R&D in the oil and gas sector.
Research commercialization is vital for Nigeria’s economic development because it transforms research and development (R&D) findings into valuable goods and services, fostering innovation, creating knowledge-based economies, generating economic prosperity, increasing operational efficiency in enterprises, and driving technological advancement and job creation.
With the creation of the National System of Innovation (NSI), research commercialization will assist Nigeria in diversifying its economy and halt the over reliance on natural resources and make the country an innovative knowledge-driven economy, enhancing its global competitiveness and improving the living standards of its citizens.
Enhancing the ability of Nigerians towards commercialization does not only convert research into tangible products, processes, and services but also add value to products that can be sold in the market, leading to economic growth and prosperity.
The focus is to drive innovation, and commercialize Nigerian products of different varieties in the world. Why this has become incumbent is because it shifts the economic paradigm from being resource-dependent to a knowledge-driven economy, where intellectual capital becomes the primary source of competitive advantage.
This NRCGP initiative also boosts technological advancement because by promotion of R&D in critical sectors, commercialization facilitates the development and adoption of new technologies, crucial for modernization and self-reliance.
The process often involves restructuring and modernizing public enterprises, enhancing their financial management, and improving their operational efficiency.
The advantages include fostering job creation and higher incomes because as new industries emerge from commercialized research, new job opportunities are created, leading to increased earning potential and better standards of living for Nigerians.
NASENI is deeply involved in research commercialization because it understands how it can integrate research institutions with market institutions, a crucial element for any functioning NSI that supports sustainable economic development.
NASENI has established a strong research commercialization framework, which makes room for the nation to produce its own knowledge and solutions, reducing dependence on external sources and fostering greater national self-reliance.
The NASENI Research Commercialization Grant Programme is an addition to the Research and Innovation Commercialisation Committee (RICC): A high-level committee, inaugurated in July 2025 by the Minister of Education, to commercialize research from tertiary institutions and connect academia with industry.
NASENI Research Commercialization Grant Programme (NRCGP) is a digitalized grant programme that supports innovative and commercially viable R&D projects. In the same vein, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has launched projects to upgrade research infrastructure, such as multipurpose labs and simulation centers.
They also facilitate national research fairs to connect researchers with investors and have recently introduced a ₦50 million Student Grant Venture Capital Initiative to support undergraduate innovators. With these huge efforts, NASENI is leading the way to change the fortunes of Nigeria and the country will be better for it.
