Food scientists have called for stronger collaboration among researchers, government and private businesses to commercialise food innovations, boost food security and create jobs in Nigeria.

They made the call on Tuesday at the 50th anniversary conference and annual general meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) in Lagos.

Prof. Oladimeji Sanni, in his keynote address, said food research must move beyond academic publications to generate viable businesses, improve food production and stimulate economic growth.

Sanni identified inadequate funding, weak commercialisation structures and limited processing infrastructure as major obstacles preventing research findings from becoming market-ready products.

He urged universities, research institutions and private businesses to establish stronger partnerships to bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and commercial production.

“Food research must move beyond academic publications to create viable businesses, generate jobs and improve food production,” Sanni said.

He advocated innovative funding models, including impact investment, crowdfunding and blended finance, to help researchers develop, scale and commercialise food innovations.

Sanni also stressed the need to protect intellectual property through patents, trademarks and licensing agreements to safeguard inventions and attract investment.

He urged universities and research institutions to establish pilot plants and food processing facilities to enable researchers to test innovations before commercial production.

The professor further called for entrepreneurship to be integrated into food science and technology curricula to equip graduates with business skills.

He said closer collaboration among academia, government, research institutions and industry would accelerate the development of commercially viable food products.

Earlier, NIFST President, Prof. Bola Osinowo, said the institute had expanded from 140 members at its establishment in 1979 to more than 5,000 members.

Osinowo said the institute now had more than 25 chapters, reflecting its growth and expanding professional reach across the country.

He said NIFST had strengthened partnerships with government agencies and private-sector organisations to support the development of value-added food products.

According to him, the institute will intensify efforts to improve food safety, promote food fortification and support the establishment of more food processing plants.

Osinowo said these initiatives would contribute to improving food quality, strengthening local processing capacity and advancing Nigeria’s food industry.

The chairman of the conference, Mr Boye Odusanya, Group Chief Executive Officer of Flour Mills of Nigeria, said food research could deliver greater economic and social benefits when translated into products reaching consumers.

Odusanya, who was represented by Mr Ilyas Kazeem, General Manager, Flour Mill, Food Division, called for closer collaboration between academia, research institutions and industry.

He said young professionals needed technical expertise and entrepreneurial knowledge to drive innovation and sustainable growth in the food sector.

The conference, with the theme ‘Transforming Food Research into Enterprise through Innovation and Commercialisation for Sustainable Development’, formed part of activities marking NIFST’s 50th anniversary.

The event also featured the presentation of awards, the investiture of Eze Mike Elechi and Dr Cosmas Maduka as trustees of NIFST, and the investiture of new fellows.