A new groundbreaking report has exposed deep-rooted challenges hindering research commercialisation in Nigeria, urging immediate reforms to bridge the gap between academia and industry, secure sustainable funding, and improve intellectual property protection.

The Nigeria Impact Investing Research and Industry Collaborative Stakeholder Mapping Report, launched in Lagos by the Impact Investors Foundation (IIF), outlined critical weaknesses in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem, including fragmented efforts, poor commercial pathways, and lack of coordination among research institutions.

Key Findings from the Report

The study, funded under the United Kingdom Government’s Research and Innovation Systems for Africa (RISA) Fund, identified several key barriers to the commercialisation of research in Nigeria:

1. Weak Commercialisation Pathways
   – Many research projects lack structured routes to transition from academic outputs to industry applications.
2. Fragmentation and Lack of Coordination
   – The absence of a centralised platform leads to disjointed efforts and missed opportunities for collaboration between research institutions, private enterprises, and government agencies.
3. Limited Private Sector Engagement
   – Poor intellectual property (IP) protection and unclear commercialisation guidelines discourage private-sector involvement and investment.
4. Funding Deficits
   – Inadequate funding restricts infrastructure development and stifles the scaling of innovations into market-ready solutions.

Stakeholder Responses

The Chief Executive Officer of the Impact Investors Foundation, Etemore Glover, described the report as a “game-changer” for advancing Nigeria’s innovation landscape.

“This mapping exercise gives us the clarity needed to foster collaboration, drive investments, and create a thriving research commercialisation framework,” Glover stated.

Oretanya Oreva, Director of the Lagos Business School Sustainability Centre, emphasised the importance of research-industry collaboration:

“We must scale innovations that drive self-sufficiency and national development. Strengthening research-industry partnerships is crucial for economic transformation.”

Recommendations from the Report

The report calls for a coordinated strategy involving academia, industry, government, and investors to:

• Streamline commercialisation pathways to ensure research translates into scalable businesses.
• Establish a centralised platform to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Strengthen intellectual property frameworks to encourage private-sector investment.
• Secure long-term funding to improve research infrastructure and innovation sustainability.

By addressing these barriers, the report suggests that Nigeria could position itself as a leader in innovation-driven economic growth, unlocking new opportunities for job creation, technological advancement, and global competitiveness.