By Ihotu Uriel
As part of efforts to nurture Nigeria’s vast pool of creative talent, the Federal Government has unveiled plans to establish a National Design and Development Agency aimed at empowering innovators and transforming ideas into market-ready products.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Monday during a visit to Innov8 Hub in Abuja, where he lauded the hub’s contributions to national development through innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation.
Dr. Alausa reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to building a vibrant innovation ecosystem, emphasizing that the government is ready to meet innovators “halfway” by providing the infrastructure and support required to scale their ideas.
“Nigerians are among the most creative and talented people globally, but many lack the support to commercialize their ideas,” Alausa said. “This new agency will help bridge that gap by offering community-driven financing and technical support.”
The proposed National Design and Development Agency will serve as a strategic platform for innovators to pitch their concepts and receive funding, mentorship, and guidance. According to Alausa, even if just 5–10% of supported innovations achieve commercial success, they could transform millions of lives and revolutionize sectors such as health, agriculture, manufacturing, and technology.
The minister also stressed the importance of intellectual property rights and urged Nigerian inventors to patent their innovations to protect their work and attract investment.
“You need to aggressively move your products to the market,” he advised. “Nigeria is filled with untapped opportunities just waiting for innovative solutions.”
Dr. Alausa commended Innov8 Hub for its significant strides in agriculture and small-scale manufacturing, describing the organization as a model for how innovation hubs can drive socio-economic growth. He encouraged stronger collaboration among innovators, manufacturers, and financiers to ensure broader impact and sustainability.
Earlier, during a presentation, Mr. Deji Ige, Deputy General Manager of Innov8 Hub, revealed that the organization had recorded substantial growth over its five-year existence. With 15 operational departments and over 7,000 jobs created nationwide, the hub has become a key player in Nigeria’s innovation space.
Mr. Ige noted that the hub began with just 100 staff members and has since incubated multiple start-ups, four of which are currently housed within the facility and expected to generate further employment in the coming months.
The government’s planned intervention is expected to strengthen the innovation pipeline and provide much-needed support for local inventors and entrepreneurs seeking to make a mark both locally and globally.
