NASENI shortlists 12 out of 169 research proposals for commercialisation grants
NASENI shortlists 12 out of 169 research proposals for commercialisation grants
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) shortlists 12 research proposals from 169 submissions for the final stage of its research commercialisation grant programme.
NASENI said this in a statement on Thursday.
Ms Joy Elugbe, Team Lead of the Programme and Deputy Director, Monitoring and Evaluation at NASENI, said the shortlisted proposals emerged after a rigorous evaluation designed to identify research with strong commercial potential.
Elugbe said the programme sought to bridge the longstanding gap between research institutions and industry by supporting innovations capable of creating jobs and driving industrial development.
She said the 169 proposals came from universities, polytechnics and research institutes across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
According to her, the initiative attracted entries from eligible institutions with innovations capable of addressing national development challenges through science, engineering and technology.
Elugbe said a preliminary screening reduced the entries to 49 proposals after duplicate submissions and applications that failed eligibility requirements were removed.
She said NASENI engaged 21 professors with expertise across its approved thematic areas to independently assess originality, technical quality and research relevance.
According to her, the agency’s Innovation Hub further evaluated the shortlisted proposals to determine their commercial viability and readiness for market adoption.
She said only 12 proposals, comprising two from each geopolitical zone, progressed to the due diligence stage before the final selection of six grant beneficiaries.
“The objective is not simply to fund research but to invest in innovations that can successfully reach the market and deliver real impact,” she said.
Elugbe said the programme was conceived to address the challenge of research breakthroughs remaining unused because of inadequate funding.
She said the initiative, championed by NASENI’s Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Khalil Suleiman Halilu, focused on commercially viable research with economic potential.
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According to her, the programme aims to support innovations capable of generating wealth, creating employment opportunities and strengthening Nigeria’s industrial base.
Elugbe described commercialisation as transforming research outcomes, inventions or services into profitable products that effectively meet market demands.
She said the programme aligned with NASENI’s strategic focus on Collaboration, Creation and Commercialisation, known as the 3Cs.
According to her, innovation achieves its greatest value only when research outcomes reach end users through commercially successful products and services.
Elugbe said NASENI conducted nationwide sensitisation campaigns across the six geopolitical zones after opening the application portal.
She said the exercise educated prospective applicants on programme requirements, application procedures and the importance of research commercialisation.
According to her, radio awareness campaigns complemented the sensitisation exercise, improving participation and enhancing the quality of proposals received nationwide.
Elugbe said NASENI’s support would extend beyond grant disbursement to ensuring successful innovators sustained market competitiveness.
She said beneficiaries would receive technical guidance, commercial advisory services and continuous support through the agency’s Innovation Hub.
According to her, the approach is expected to improve product development, attract investment and strengthen long-term commercial success.
Elugbe recalled that the NASENI research commercialisation grant programme was inaugurated in March 2025.
She said the initiative promoted innovation, technological advancement and commercialisation of research outcomes in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
