… ES NCDMB urges Nigerians to embrace innovation, prioritize research for national development
“Transition from research to commercialization key to economic growth under Triple Helix Model” – Halilu said
Oredola Adeola
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has announced plans to further inject $50 million from its Nigerian Content Research and Development Fund into the Triple Helix Model, aimed at advancing 14 ongoing applied research and development projects under its Technology Innovation and Incubation Strategy.
Engr. Felix Ogbe, Executive Secretary, NCDMB, hinted this in the keynote address he delivered at the 2024 edition of the Triple Helix Nigeria SciBiz Conference in Abuja, attended by industry representatives, researchers from knowledge institutions and policymakers.
Represented by Mr. Silas Ajimajaye, General Manager of Research and Statistics, the ES announced plans to support new R&D projects through the Technology Innovation and Incubation Strategy, emphasizing the board’s commitment to advancing innovation in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry and allied sectors under the theme “Integrating Research, Innovation, and Policy: Triple Helix Pathway to Research Commercialisation.”
He described research and innovation as the lifeblood of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon industry, adding that NCDMB has consistently applied local content development to enhance research and commercialisation of innovative solutions for the country’s oil and gas sector.
This way, it hopes to ” accelerate the circle of innovation and wealth creation by fostering partnerships between universities, research institutions, and industry players.”
He charged Nigerians to embrace the spirit of innovation and work together to build a future where research and development are at the forefront of the national agenda.
According to him, “Creating an ecosystem where research, innovation and policy can interact has never been more critical as we steer through the complexities of the 21st Century,”
He said, “the Triple Helix Model of academia, industry, and government collaboration is an appropriate international business framework that adds to our strength of innovation and ensures that all efforts go into fueling the grand old aim – National Development.”
He further disclosed that “the $50 million Nigerian Content Research and Development Fund was created by the Board in 2020 from the Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF) and was designed to provide much-needed research funds in the oil and gas R&D space.”
Alhaji Abdulmalik Halilu, President of Triple Helix Nigeria and Director of Monitoring and Evaluation at the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), emphasized the importance of research and development (R&D) as a critical pillar for sustainable local content growth.
He noted that this focus informed the rollout of a 10-year roadmap in 2017, setting targets for where local content should be by 2027.
Halilu explained that the Triple Helix Nigeria initiative aims to inspire at least 10 knowledge institutions to accelerate innovation and secure 10% equity in 10 listed companies over the next decade.
Citing examples from the U.S. and Germany, he highlighted how significant investments in research have driven the success of their oil and gas sectors.
He stressed that countries succeeding in R&D demonstrate structured collaboration among academia, industry, and government, with the industry using research outputs, academia providing solutions, and the government creating an enabling environment.
Halilu revealed that the decision to establish the Triple Helix Association in Nigeria was motivated by the need to foster collaboration across these three sectors.
“Professionals in the industry approached us to establish the association, inspired by global examples where Triple Helix associations shape advocacy, influence policy, and promote research commercialization,” he said.
He further noted that 12 stakeholders came together to initiate the process and engaged with the global Triple Helix network to access resources and platforms that support research commercialization in Nigeria.
He underscored that universities today must go beyond educating minds or advancing theoretical knowledge, playing a central role in turning research into tangible products that drive economic growth.
According to Halilu, “The transition from education through research to commercialization marks a new frontier where academia, industry, and government collaborate under the Triple Helix model to ensure research solves real-world problems and fosters economic prosperity.”
