The Impact Investors Foundation (IIF), has launched a comprehensive Nigeria Impact Investing Research and Industry Collaborative (NIIRIC) Stakeholder Mapping Report to identify critical gaps and collaboration opportunities in Nigeria’s research, innovation, and commercialisation landscape.

In a statement, Ifeoluwa OgunfuwaAssistant Manager, Impact Investors Foundation, disclosed that the pivotal study officially launched in Lagos at a virtual event, provides an in-depth assessment of Nigeria’s research ecosystem, identifying key public and private stakeholders involved in research and innovation, as well as those who utilize research findings.

It reads: ” Funded by the UK International Development of the UK Government in the third phase of the Research and Innovation Systems for Africa (RISA) Fund’s Sustainable Systems for Research and Innovation Financing Project (SSRIF II), this report provides vital data to drive policy reforms, strategic investments, and cross-sector collaboration among key stakeholders, including academia, government, industry, and investors.

The Nigerian research and innovation ecosystem is a dynamic yet under-optimised network involving key stakeholders across academia, government, private sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), financial institutions, and international bodies. 

The gap between academia and industry remains a significant challenge, compounded by inadequate funding, outdated infrastructure, and a lack of coordination among research bodies.

This report provides actionable recommendations to foster an environment where research is not only published but also translated into impactful, scalable businesses.

The study called for an alignment between academia, industry, government, and other stakeholders to unlock Nigeria’s full potential in innovation-driven economic growth.

Key findings from the report include the following:

• A lack of structured pathways for commercialization is a barrier that limits its impact on economic development.

• The absence of a centralized platform has led to fragmented efforts and missed opportunities for scaling innovations.

• Weak intellectual property protection, limited funding, and unclear commercialization guidelines remain barriers to private-sector engagement.

• Strategic partnerships and dedicated financing mechanisms can accelerate the transformation of research into market-ready solutions.

“This report is a game-changer for Nigeria’s research ecosystem. “

Etemore Glover, CEO of Impact Investors Foundation, said: “By mapping out key players and identifying the challenges they face, we now have a clear direction for collaboration to bridging gaps and creating a thriving research commercialization framework,”

“We aim to leverage the report’s insights to scale innovations that positively impact the community.

Oretanya Oreva, Director, Lagos Business School Sustainability Center and Lead, Capacity Building, NIIRIC Steering Committee, added : “Our priorities are to promote local innovation and self-sufficiency, both locally and nationally, and to cultivate a robust collaboration ecosystem between researchers and industry.”