Barau, Gov. Yusuf Host First Lady Tinubu in Kano for Landmark ECoN Launch to Drive Innovation Economy.
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu
Democracy Newsline Northern Bureau Chief
April 24, 2026
KANO — The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, on Thursday joined the Executive Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, in receiving Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, for the official national launch and North-West rollout of the Energise Commercialisation Now (ECoN) initiative.
The high-profile event, held at the historic Coronation Hall, Government House Kano, attracted dignitaries from across government, academia, and the private sector, signaling a renewed national commitment to innovation-driven economic growth.
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ECoN, a flagship national programme, is designed to bridge the long-standing gap between research and industry by transforming academic discoveries, inventions, and technological breakthroughs into commercially viable products and enterprises. The initiative is widely seen as a bold step toward reducing Nigeria’s reliance on imports while promoting local ingenuity.
From early hours of the day, excitement gripped the ancient city of Kano, as residents from all 44 Local Government Areas lined major streets to welcome the First Lady. The colourful reception reflected the significance of the programme and the expectations it carries for economic transformation in the region.
In his remarks, Senator Barau commended the Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, for driving the initiative, while also recalling the origins of the idea during the Eighth Senate. He revealed that the First Lady had long championed the concept of commercialising research outputs during her time as a member of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund.
According to him, her contributions were marked by exceptional diligence and foresight. “She was not only one of the most active members of the committee but also among the most committed. Her advocacy for innovation and commercialisation dates back years,” he noted.
Barau explained that interactions with vice chancellors and heads of higher institutions at the time exposed a critical funding gap, with universities relying heavily on government allocations.
This, he said, led to a paradigm shift in thinking.
“They were encouraged to look inward,” he said. “Our institutions produce groundbreaking research, innovations, and inventions, yet many remain unused. These are potential revenue sources—what I call ‘cash cows’—that can be patented and commercialised for national development.”
He further expressed delight at seeing the idea come to fruition on a national scale, describing the ECoN initiative as a “game changer” capable of stimulating entrepreneurship, creating jobs, and boosting productivity in Nigeria’s real sector.
Drawing global comparisons, the Deputy Senate President cited leading institutions such as Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where research commercialisation has become a cornerstone of economic advancement.
“In those institutions, innovations are not left on the shelves—they are transformed into industries. That is the model Nigeria must embrace,” he added.
Observers say the successful launch of ECoN in Kano marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward a knowledge-based economy. With strong political backing and increasing stakeholder engagement, the initiative is expected to unlock the vast, untapped potential within the nation’s universities and research centres.
As the programme begins its rollout across the North-West and beyond, many Nigerians are hopeful that ECoN will serve as a catalyst for sustainable development, youth empowerment, and global competitiveness.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, APRIL 24TH 2026)
