The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has announced plans to establish innovation hubs in 45 beneficiary institutions across the six geopolitical zones to promote problem-solving research and drive national development.
The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, disclosed this on Friday at the closing ceremony of the Research for Impact (R4i) initiative in Abuja.
Echono, who was represented by the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Arc. Babatunde Olajide, said the initiative, implemented in partnership with Innov8 Technology Hub, was designed to equip researchers and academics with skills to develop innovative solutions to societal challenges.
He said the programme formed part of the fund’s strategy to institutionalise research and development (R&D) in tertiary institutions and promote sustainable economic growth through solution-driven research.
“Education remains a critical cornerstone of nation building, serving as a beacon of societal sustainability and human survival. Globally, technology has taken centre stage in transforming lives, generating wealth and shaping nations,” he said.
The TETFund boss said Nigeria, as an emerging economy, needed to develop home-grown solutions to its challenges, adding that the fund had continued to invest in capacity building to transform tertiary institutions.
He said TETFund had prioritised high-impact research and innovation as the foundation of a knowledge-driven economy.
Echono disclosed that participants in previous cohorts of the R4i initiative had developed several prototypes, some of which had been patented.
“I am pleased to announce that participants in the previous cohorts of this initiative have produced several remarkable prototypes, some of which have been patented. I am optimistic that the participants of this cohort will not be different,” he said.
He attributed the continuation of the programme to positive feedback from previous participants and their institutions, noting that the number of nominees per institution had increased from one at inception to four.
According to him, the expansion is intended to build teams of researchers with complementary scientific backgrounds who can mentor emerging scholars and promote collaborative research, innovation and commercialisation.
On the planned innovation hubs, Echono said the facilities would provide an enabling environment for researchers to apply the skills acquired through the programme.
“In line with the commitment of the fund to provide the enabling environment for problem-solving research, the fund is funding the establishment of innovation hubs in 45 beneficiary institutions across the six geopolitical zones,” he said.
He added that the hubs would enable participants to sustain their research activities and help transform tertiary institutions into centres of innovation.
Echono urged participants in Cohort 34 to build on the knowledge gained during the two-week intensive training, saying the next phase would focus on commercialising the products developed.
He assured them of TETFund’s continued support, expressing optimism that sustained collaboration would accelerate Nigeria’s technological advancement.
Also speaking, the Deputy General Manager of Innov8 Technology Hub, Deji Ige, commended TETFund for its commitment to research and national development.
Ige described the partnership between the two organisations as an example of how collaboration could drive innovation.
“If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together. We chose to go together. And this has been our story with TETFund,” he said.
He described the R4i initiative as an opportunity for academics to translate research ideas into innovations, practical solutions and viable enterprises.
According to him, TETFund’s support has been instrumental to the initiative’s progress, while the work of the Innov8 team has helped create an environment where researchers can develop and refine their ideas.
Ige urged participants not to be discouraged by failure, describing it as an integral part of the innovation process.
“When you are looking to innovate, do not be afraid of failure, because failure is part of the chaotic process of innovation,” he said.
He said the initiative could help position Nigerian researchers and academics as drivers of innovation, enterprise development and economic growth.
Ige urged participants to sustain the collaboration established during the programme and apply their knowledge in their respective institutions and communities.
He said the ultimate goal should be to develop home-grown solutions, advance technology, create enterprises and generate wealth, thereby helping Nigeria become a leading start-up nation.
He added that with adequate opportunities, resources, expertise, equipment and mentorship, Nigerian innovators could develop products and technologies capable of competing globally.
