The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has begun establishing innovation hubs in 45 beneficiary tertiary institutions across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to strengthen research, promote technological innovation and commercialise locally developed products.
The Fund’s Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Babatunde Olajide, disclosed this while representing the Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono, at the closing ceremony of Cohort 34 of the Research for Impact Initiative.
Olajide said the hubs would provide facilities for researchers to develop practical solutions, collaborate on research projects and transform innovative ideas into marketable products.
He explained that the two-week programme, organised in partnership with Innov8 Technology Hub, equips academics with practical research development skills, access to innovation facilities and expert mentorship.
According to him, participants from previous cohorts have developed prototypes, some of which have been patented, demonstrating the programme’s potential to turn academic research into practical outcomes.
Olajide added that TETFund had increased the number of participants nominated by each selected institution from one to four to encourage multidisciplinary collaboration, knowledge-sharing and mentorship.
He said the initiative would also promote market-driven research, enterprise development and home-grown technologies capable of addressing Nigeria’s challenges.
Meanwhile, Innov8 Technology Hub’s Deputy General Manager, Deji Ige, described the partnership as a step towards translating academic research into practical innovations and viable businesses.
The organisation’s Director, Edward Singhatey, reaffirmed its commitment to the partnership, pledging to provide relevant expertise and advanced technologies to support innovation in Nigeria.
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