Title: Beyond research and development: policy options for overcoming obstacles to commercialisation of R&D results in Nigeria

Authors: Charity Udodirim Ugonna; Azikiwe Peter Onwualu

Addresses: School of Built Environment, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK ' African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract: Many innovations and commercialisable research and development (R&D) results are available from knowledge centres (KCs) across Nigeria. But not many of these are commercialised, leading to inability to solve local problems and over dependence on imported innovations, technologies, products and services. This study, which aimed at identifying the challenges facing commercialisation of innovations in Nigeria, employed a survey approach involving 600 respondents. The key findings include: poor science and engineering infrastructure; lack of information on research results; unfair import competition; poor demand driven research; weak research industry linkages; lack of commercialisation expertise; weak collaboration among stakeholders and weak funding mechanisms. To overcome these challenges, a foundation for commercialisation of inventions and innovations (FCI²) to be set up as a public private partnership (PPP) initiative is recommended. It is our belief that successful implementation of this new policy could lead to sustainable development and inclusive growth in Nigeria.

Keywords: R&D commercialisation; research and development; innovation; invention; intellectual property; science and technology policy; STP; policy options; Nigeria; infrastructure; import competition; demand driven research; research industry links; expertise; collaboration; funding mechanisms; public private partnerships; PPPs.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTTC.2016.082118

International Journal of Technology Transfer and Commercialisation, 2016 Vol.14 No.3/4, pp.281 - 302

Received: 05 Feb 2016
Accepted: 20 Sep 2016
Published online: 07 Feb 2017 *

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