Oluremi Tinubu to lead campaign supporting local inventors — Minister
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Udeh, has announced plans to launch a nationwide programme aimed at supporting commercially viable inventions and promoting technological innovation in Nigeria.
The initiative, known as Energise Commercialisation, was unveiled during a visit to Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, at the State House in Abuja, where the Minister also announced her appointment as the programme’s champion.
According to the Minister, the initiative is designed to help reposition Nigeria from a technology-importing nation to a technology-driven innovation economy by supporting inventors, particularly young people, with marketable ideas.
In a statement by the First Lady’s spokesperson on Tuesday, Busola Kukoyi, Udeh said the programme would strengthen the capacity of Nigerian youths and innovators by helping them develop and commercialise their inventions.
He explained that sensitisation activities for the programme have already begun and would soon extend to all states of the federation under the leadership of the First Lady.
“We will be going to schools at all levels and reaching communities across the country, including those who may not have formal education but possess innovative ideas,” he said.
“We have the brains in this country, and we will support innovators to achieve their goals. Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind in the global technology revolution.”
The closed-door meeting with the First Lady signals the imminent rollout of the Energise Commercialisation programme, which is expected to focus largely on youths and women as primary beneficiaries.
