A groundbreaking report has revealed deep-rooted barriers stalling Nigeria’s research commercialisation, calling for urgent reforms to bridge academia-industry gaps, secure funding, and strengthen intellectual property protection.

The Nigeria Impact Investing Research and Industry Collaborative Stakeholder Mapping Report, launched in Lagos by the Impact Investors Foundation, highlighted major weaknesses within Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem, including fragmented efforts, weak commercial pathways, and a lack of coordination among research institutions.

According to a statement, it was funded under the United Kingdom Government’s Research and Innovation Systems for Africa Fund. The study identified a disconnect between research output and commercial application, hindering Nigeria’s potential for innovation-driven economic growth.

The report highlighted several critical bottlenecks hindering the transition of research into market-ready solutions.

“Weak commercialisation pathways leave many research projects without structured routes to industry application, while fragmentation and the absence of a centralised platform result in uncoordinated efforts and missed opportunities,” it stated.

It added that limited private-sector engagement driven by poor intellectual property protection and unclear commercialisation guidelines deters potential investors.

“Compounding these challenges, persistent funding deficits restrict necessary infrastructure upgrades and stifle sustainable innovation,” the report highlighted.

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

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

Also, the director of the Lagos Business School Sustainability Centre, Oretanya Oreva, said, “We must scale innovations that drive self-sufficiency and national development. Strengthening research-industry partnerships is crucial for economic transformation.”

The report called for a coordinated strategy involving academia, industry, government, and investors to turn research into scalable, impactful businesses, ultimately positioning Nigeria as a leader in innovation-driven growth.