TETFund pledges support for defence research, innovation
By Uji A Iliyasu Abuja
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has pledged to support the Defence Research and Development Bureau (RDB) in advancing its research and development agenda, as part of efforts to strengthen national security and drive technological growth.
Speaking while receiving the Director General of RDB, Rear Admiral K.J. Odubanjo, and his delegation in Abuja on Wednesday, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arch. Sonny Echono, said Nigeria must harness all available resources to address its development challenges.
According to him, the country is confronted with multiple issues ranging from insecurity and unemployment to overdependence on foreign goods and services, making innovation and research critical to national progress.
“As a country hungry for development, there is a need to harness all the resources available to us,” Echono said. “Traditionally, the military has played a very significant role in technological and scientific development globally.”
He recalled that major innovations such as the internet, the Global Positioning System (GPS), drone technology and several modern medical delivery systems originated from military research before being adapted for civilian use.
Echono noted that TETFund has, over the last two years, deliberately focused on strengthening research and development, particularly in areas previously underexplored. He disclosed that the Federal Government recently inaugurated a committee on the commercialisation of research findings, aimed at translating research outputs from prototypes into market-ready products.
“Just today, we signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with NACCIMA to jointly promote this agenda,” he said.
He further revealed that TETFund has created a new thematic area dedicated to military and defence research under its National Research Fund Granting Committee, in recognition of the growing importance of defence-related innovation.
Earlier, Rear Admiral Odubanjo said collaboration with the right partners was essential to achieving progress, noting that no institution could operate in isolation.
He explained that RDB is mandated to coordinate defence-related research nationwide and strengthen collaboration between military and civilian institutions. He cited innovations such as an airboat and locally developed night-vision goggles as products of RDB-supported research, which have attracted interest from agencies including the Nigeria Customs Service and the Enugu State Government.
Odubanjo, however, identified inadequate funding as a major challenge, stressing that sustained financial support is vital for research advancement.
“With continued support from TETFund, Nigeria’s research capacity will grow stronger, helping the nation confront security challenges and prepare for the future,” he said.