*The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure explains its NASENI Research Commercialisation Grant Programme is aimed at bridging the gap between research and industry, identify innovative research with strong commercial potential and support its transition from laboratories to the marketplace
Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure has disclosed about 169 proposals from Nigerian tertiary institutions, including Universities, polytechnics, and research institutes across the six geopolitical zones have entered for the NASENI Research Commercialisation Grant Programme (NRCGP).
The agency said the programme, which is its initiative is aimed at bridging the gap between research and industry.
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NASENI also stated the programme was designed to identify innovative research with strong commercial potential and support its transition from laboratories to the marketplace.
Speaking on the latest episode of the NASENI Window Podcast Thursday, July 23, 2026, in the NASENI Studio, in Abuja, FCT, Ms. Joy Elugbe, Team Lead of the NRCGP and Deputy Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, said the team had received 169 proposals from eligible institutions across the country, including Universities, polytechnics, and other research institutions.
Following the close of applications, and to ensure transparency and a rigorous selection process, NASENI engaged 21 Professors with expertise across the agency’s approved thematic areas to evaluate the originality and technical quality of the shortlisted proposals.
Ms. Elugbe disclosed that a rigorous preliminary screening reduced the number to 49 proposals after removing duplicate entries and submissions that failed to meet eligibility requirements while the agency’s Innovation Hub assessed their commercial viability to determine their potential for market adoption.
Chima Akwaja, Deputy Director Information at NASENI, stated Elugbe said: “12 proposals, two from each geopolitical zone, have progressed to the due diligence stage before the final selection of six grant beneficiaries will be done.
“The objective is not simply to fund research but to invest in innovations that can successfully reach the market and deliver real impact.”
NASENI explained the NRCGP was conceived to address one of Nigeria’s longstanding innovation challenges which is the research breakthroughs that remain on the shelves due to inadequate funding.
She further said the initiative, championed by Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, Executive Vice-Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NASENI, targets promising research proposals with the capacity to generate economic value, create jobs and contribute to Nigeria’s industrial development.
The statement noted: “The idea behind the programme is to identify innovative and commercially viable research outputs that have remained on the shelves because of lack of funding, and provide the support needed to transform them into products that can impact the economy.”
Explaining the concept of commercialisation, Elugbe described it as the process of transforming an invention, research outcome or service into a profitable product that meets market needs.
The NRCGP aligns with NASENI’s strategic focus on Collaboration, Creation and Commercialisation (3Cs).
She stressed that innovation only achieves its full value when it reaches end-users.
Elugbe also disclosed that following the launch of the application portal, the Proposal Evaluation Team went on nationwide sensitisation campaigns across the six geopolitical zones to educate prospective applicants on the programme requirements and application process.
The sensitisation exercise, complemented by radio awareness campaigns, significantly improved participation and the quality of submissions.
She further revealed that NASENI’s support would extend beyond grant disbursement, noting that successful innovators would be linked with the Agency’s Innovation Hub for continuous technical guidance, market advisory services and commercialisation support to ensure their products achieve sustainable market success.
It is recalled the NASENI Research Commercialisation Grant Programme was inaugurated March 2025, to promote innovation, technological advancement and the commercialisation of research outcomes in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.