The Federal Government of Nigeria is placing a significant bet on a forthcoming ban on the export of unprocessed raw materials to transform the nation's economic fortunes. This strategic shift aims to force local value addition and industrial growth, even as specialists highlight persistent deficiencies in the country's Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) framework that could threaten its success.
Addressing Fragmentation in the Innovation Ecosystem
Dr. Kingsley Udeh, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, outlined the government's vision at a policy dialogue in Abuja on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. The event, themed "Re-shaping Nigeria’s Potential in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI)," was organized by the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA).
Minister Udeh pinpointed Nigeria's heavy dependence on exporting raw commodities as a major reason for stunted industrial progress, limited job creation, and lost local value. He identified a critical problem: the fragmentation of the STI ecosystem, where government bodies, private companies, and research institutes operate in isolation with little coordination.
"One of the factors that has undermined our advancement is the fragmentation of the STI ecosystem. Different players act in silos, with little synergy or coordination, and this has reduced overall impact," Udeh stated. He revealed that under President Bola Tinubu's administration, efforts are underway to reposition STI as a cohesive, interconnected system designed to support innovation from idea to market.
A national STI roadmap is in development to bridge structural gaps and synchronize efforts across various agencies. As part of this reform, the role of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) has been significantly expanded. Previously focused on patent processing, NOTAP now actively connects inventors with institutions that can help transform patented ideas into prototypes and commercially viable products.
"Patents were being issued, but many ended up on shelves. We are now ensuring that innovators are supported beyond certification, through to prototyping and commercialisation," the Minister explained.
The Landmark Legislation and Expert Caution
Central to this industrial strategy is a pivotal bill recently passed by the National Assembly. The legislation mandates that no raw material can be exported from Nigeria without at least 30% value added locally. The bill, which includes a transition period for industries to build capacity, has been sent to President Tinubu for his assent.
Udeh emphasized that this law, crafted after extensive talks with industry stakeholders and exporters, is intended to expand Nigeria's industrial base and transition the country from a mere supplier of raw materials to an exporter of finished goods and services. He, however, conceded that funding limitations and implementation hurdles remain.
Earlier at the dialogue, CSEA’s Executive Director, Dr. Chukwuka Onyekwena, acknowledged Nigeria's vast human capital and entrepreneurial drive but lamented the failure to convert this potential into tangible productivity. "Our youthful population and growing tech ecosystem provide a solid foundation. But without strategic investment, clear policy direction and sustained collaboration across government, academia and industry, this potential will remain largely untapped," Onyekwena warned.
Building Systems for Sustainable Growth
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, President of the African University of Science and Technology and former Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, described Nigeria's situation as a paradox of abundant resources coupled with economic underperformance.
He listed poor infrastructure, inadequate research funding, weak university-industry links, and ineffective commercialisation pathways as barriers preventing scientific breakthroughs from fueling economic growth. "Talent alone is not enough. Systems matter," Onwualu cautioned.
While supporting the proposed raw export restriction, Prof. Onwualu stressed that its effectiveness hinges on constructing a functional national innovation ecosystem, boosting investment in research and development, and fostering stronger ties between the government, universities, and the private sector. He issued a stark reminder: "Countries that invest strategically in science and innovation are moving ahead rapidly. Those that do not are falling behind by generations."
The success of Nigeria's ambitious plan to ban raw exports and add value locally now rests on its ability to urgently strengthen the very STI foundations that experts say are currently too weak to support such a transformative leap.
