Oluremi Tinubu Launches ECoN Initiative in Kano, Flags Off Major Road Project

Oluremi Tinubu Launches ECoN Initiative in Kano, Flags Off Major Road Project

The First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, has launched the North-West zonal rollout of the “Energise Commercialisation Now” (ECoN) initiative in Kano State, a federal government programme aimed at accelerating innovation, industrial growth, and economic development across the region.

Speaking at the launch in Kano on Thursday, Senator Tinubu said the initiative, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises strengthening Nigeria’s commercial and industrial capacity.

She emphasised Nigeria’s longstanding reputation for creativity and innovation, noting that while the country continues to produce groundbreaking ideas, many fail to translate into real-world solutions due to structural challenges common in emerging economies. According to her, ECoN is designed to bridge this gap by creating an enabling environment that supports talent development, nurtures innovation, and scales ideas into viable enterprises.

“The programme represents a decisive shift from exporting raw potential to building, funding, and scaling homegrown innovation for national development and global competitiveness,” she said, adding that the initiative will drive job creation, enterprise growth, and increased contribution to the nation’s GDP.

The First Lady also stressed the importance of inclusivity, urging that women and young people be actively integrated into the innovation ecosystem to ensure widespread socio-economic benefits.

She commended the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, for championing the programme.

Goodwill messages were delivered by Abba Yusuf, Umar Namadi, and Jibrin Barau, who highlighted the initiative’s potential to enhance economic opportunities, particularly for youths and entrepreneurs, while positioning Nigeria as a competitive player in global science and technology.

As part of her visit, Senator Tinubu also joined Governor Yusuf to inaugurate the construction of a 118-kilometre road project in Kano, named in her honour. The project is expected to be completed within 14 months, with an April 2026 delivery timeline.