First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Launches ECoN in Kano, Commends Innovation Minister for Push to Commercialise Research
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has launched the Energise Commercialisation Now (ECoN) initiative, describing it as a national movement to convert Nigeria’s innovation potential into economic prosperity
At the event held in Kano Thursday, April 24, the First Lady commended the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Udeh for conceptualising ECoN.
She urged sustained collaboration between the Ministry and North-West Governors to ensure long-term impact, noting that Nigerian innovations continue to excel globally despite challenges.
In a statement by Mrs Pauline Sule, Innovation Ministry’s Head of Information and Public Relations, Senator Oluremi stressed the need to create an enabling environment for innovation to thrive and compete internationally.
In his opening remarks, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf described ECoN as a strategic intervention to break the disconnect between research, innovation, and the marketplace noting that the initiative will ensure ideas from universities, research institutions, and innovation hubs are transformed into viable market products rather than abandoned.
He highlighted that the First Lady’s presence affirms the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming Nigeria from a nation of ideas into a nation of industries.
Also speaking, the Minister, Dr. Kingsley Udeh disclosed that ECoN is a transformative national platform designed to bridge the gap between research and real economic value.
He explained that for decades, Nigerian innovations remained confined to laboratories with limited market and financing access. ECoN, he said, is government’s response — engineered to move ideas from concept to capital, and from prototype to prosperity.
Dr. Udeh added that ECoN will be deployed across all geopolitical zones as an integrated national ecosystem to foster inter-state collaboration and shared ownership of innovation outcomes. The programme features investor-ready pitching sessions, real-time deal rooms for innovators and investors, and a forthcoming National Deal Room to connect Nigeria’s best innovations to global capital.
Highlighting early traction, the Minister said over 1,000 innovation entries have been received within weeks, with investment commitments underway — signaling momentum toward job creation, industrial growth, and Nigeria’s ambition of a $1 trillion economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Speaking for the North-West Governors’ Forum, Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi commended the Minister’s initiative, describing ECoN as a strategic pathway to unlock economic growth, drive job creation, and strengthen Nigeria’s innovation-driven economy.
The Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology reaffirmed that ECoN will be backed by a digital commercialisation platform and a proposed National Research and Innovation Fund to ensure sustainability, transparency, and global competitiveness.
The event marks a decisive shift from innovation potential to innovation prosperity.
 initiative, describing it as a national){kind=link}