In a transformative move for Nigeria’s environmental and technological landscape, the Federal Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Technology (FMOSET), in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), has forged a groundbreaking partnership with the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT Minna). This alliance aims to propel clean technology research from the university’s laboratories into commercial markets through the prestigious Global CleanTech Innovation Programme (GCIP).
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From Concept to Commercialisation: Bridging Research and Market Demand
On June 30, 2025, a high-level delegation from FMOSET, led by Principal Scientific Officer Hannah Amayo Iruvwe—representing Honourable Minister Hannah Amayo Iruvwe—visited FUT Minna’s Academic Publishing Centre. Their mission: evaluate ongoing initiatives and explore strategies to scale innovative ideas into viable products.
Iruvwe described GCIP as more than a program—it’s a systemic innovation platform designed to funnel clean-tech breakthroughs directly from academic research into the marketplace. She emphasised the importance of the University Entrepreneurship and Innovation Initiative (UEII) under GCIP, which empowers nine Nigerian universities, including FUT Minna, to develop robust innovation ecosystems.
“The GCIP is a systemic platform designed to transform clean technology innovations from academic research into commercially viable products,” Iruvwe stated .
FUT Minna: A Rising Powerhouse in Clean Technology
While FUT Minna is relatively young, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta highlighted its rapid rise: eight national ranking and recognition from TETFund for research excellence. He underscored the impressive quality of the university’s work, especially in Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
Yet, Prof. Kuta acknowledged that commercialisation remains a bottleneck. Despite stellar research outputs, weak industry linkages have hampered efforts to translate these innovations into market-ready solutions.
In response, FUT Minna is constructing a dedicated innovation showcase facility to host research prototypes and enhance intellectual property protection. The university is calling on FMOSET to lead on policy frameworks and deepen collaborations with industry partners.
“Our researchers consistently produce quality outputs, but weak industry linkages have hindered the transformation of these innovations into market-ready solutions,” Prof. Kuta explained.
GCIP: Nigeria’s Catalyst for Climate Action and Economic Growth
As part of Nigeria’s dedication to the Paris Agreement, the FMOSET–FUT Minna partnership advances GCIP’s mission of integrating academia, government, and industry to fight climate change. By converting lab-based research into commercial technologies—particularly in energy, agriculture, and environmental management—this partnership can:
- Create high-impact jobs and economic opportunities
- Strengthen Nigeria’s climate resilience
- Drive sustainable national development
This initiative serves as a blueprint for effectively merging policy, infrastructure, and capacity-building to support clean-tech innovation.
What Lies Ahead: A Roadmap for Scale and Impact
Early outcomes to expect include:
- Innovation Showcase Facility: A physical hub where faculty and students prototype their technologies, and where private investors can assess market potential.
- Enhanced Academic-Industry Partnerships: Leveraging FMOSET’s position to bridge gaps between university researchers and corporate stakeholders.
- Robust Policy Support: Creation and implementation of tailored policies to protect intellectual property and incentivise tech commercialisation.
- Upskilling Through UEII: Equipping FUT Minna—and the other eight participating universities—with the expertise needed to drive sustainable innovation.
A Call to Action
The partnership underscores the pivotal role tertiary institutions can play in national development. By harnessing ingenuity emerging from FUT Minna, FMOSET and UNIDO are setting a new trajectory for Nigeria’s clean-tech ecosystem. The success of this initiative will depend on proactive engagement from industries, dynamic policy leadership, and relentless academic-expert synergy.
FMOSET’s joint mission with FUT Minna is poised to transform Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem and catalyse a greener, more prosperous future.
Why This Matters
- For Policymakers: An effective template for scaling academic research into market-ready solutions that tackle climate change.
- For Universities: Demonstrates that investment in innovation infrastructure and industry engagement can unlock commercial potential.
- For Industry: Opens doors to collaborate with universities and invest in ground-breaking clean technology solutions.
- For Communities: Offers the prospect of new jobs, cleaner environments, and sustainable economic benefits.
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