TETFund urges academics to turn research into practical innovations
By Uji A Iliyasu, Abuja
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has urged Nigerian academics and researchers to move beyond publishing scholarly papers to developing practical innovations that address societal challenges and create economic opportunities.
The Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono, made the call in Abuja on Friday, represented by the Assistant Director, Research and Development, Dr Hadiza Ismail, at the closing ceremony of the 35th cohort of the Research for Impact Initiative (R4i).
Echono said the initiative, implemented in partnership with Innov8 Hub, is part of the Fund’s strategy to institutionalise research and development in public tertiary institutions and strengthen the relationship between academic research, industry and government.
“We must empower our scholars to create local solutions for our societal problems. This is why a commitment to education is a commitment to our nation’s future, ensuring that our people are not just consumers of foreign technology, but innovators who can drive sustainable growth,” he said.
He stressed that Nigeria needed to strengthen its capacity to develop home-grown technologies rather than depend on innovations from other countries. He noted that technological advancement had become a major driver of economic transformation, adding that countries seeking sustainable development must invest in quality education, research and innovation.
“At TETFund, we are refocusing and reinvigorating our intervention activities to drive the institutionalisation of Research and Development in public tertiary institutions, enhance research capacity, and support research-industry linkage, among others,” he said.
He said R4i is designed to reposition public tertiary institutions as drivers of a knowledge-based economy through innovative practices and solution-driven research.
Echono commended Innov8 Hub for providing technical expertise and mentorship to participating academics, and urged the graduates to apply the knowledge acquired to develop solutions for their institutions and communities.
He disclosed that some innovations from previous editions of the programme were showcased at the maiden TETFund National Research Fair and Exhibition in November 2024. The second edition will hold from 23 to 27 November 2026 at the Abuja Trade and Convention Centre, Airport Road, giving researchers the opportunity to showcase their innovations, connect with industry players and explore partnerships for commercialising research outputs.
The Deputy General Manager of Innov8 Hub, Dr Deji Ige, said the initiative was designed to establish a culture in which research and development drive innovation, enterprise creation and national development.
“Innovation thrives in a culture where research and development are the primary languages of interaction. If we can learn, understand and revive this culture, the outcomes will include inventions, solutions, technological advancement, enterprise development, job creation, wealth generation, meaningful impact and societal development,” he said.
Ige described the programme as a shift towards stronger collaboration among government, academia, industry and society, adding that research without practical impact could limit the ability of tertiary institutions to contribute to technological advancement.
“Impact-driven research and development is what keeps it afloat and enables it to navigate safely. Without impact flowing from research and development, academia becomes an immobile vessel, bereft of progress, possibilities and the power to navigate,” he said.
One of the participants, Farida Adamu Mohammed of the Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, said the programme had changed her understanding of research by shifting her focus from academic publications to solutions that could be commercialised.
She said the 10-day intensive training equipped participants with skills in identifying real-world problems, selecting viable ideas, understanding users’ needs and developing prototypes. It also exposed them to the responsible use of artificial intelligence, the Business Model Canvas, user co-creation, and effective communication for pitching ideas to potential funders and collaborators.
“Indeed, R4i has completely changed my perspective on research, shifting my focus from research for publication to research that creates impact, drives commercialisation, and generates profit,” she said.
Similarly, Engr. Austine Omoraka of the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, Delta State, said the programme had strengthened his commitment to applying engineering research to practical challenges in Nigeria, particularly in his state.
He said the combination of research, prototyping, market validation and business planning had given him a more structured approach to developing ideas into potentially marketable solutions.
“The training has encouraged me to view research not merely as an academic exercise but as a pathway to innovation and societal transformation,” he said.
He added that applying the knowledge gained could contribute to the development of affordable local technologies, entrepreneurship, employment opportunities and sustainable economic growth.
Innovations Unveiled
Members of Cohort 35 were divided into six teams. Team One unveiled Bake Check, a web-based application that screens bread for bromate by analysing colour changes in a test solution using image capture and calibration.
Team Two developed EcoCeramix, a bio-absorbent clay geo-filter cartridge made from locally calcined clay, silica and rice husk ash, designed to fit standard household water-storage buckets.
Other innovations unveiled include Ecosort, a hardware device designed to scan piles of waste at dump sites and recycling facilities; Agrivault, a cooperative-operated storage facility; a real-time delivery tracking application; and a solar-powered mosquito-responsive device.
About R4i
The Research for Impact Initiative is a collaborative programme established by TETFund and Innov8 Hub, launched in 2022 to help academics and researchers translate research ideas into practical innovations, prototypes and potentially commercial products.
Participants undergo hands-on training in problem identification, empathy research, ideation, testing, prototyping, pitching, business planning, fundraising and business incubation.
The programme also promotes the triple helix model of collaboration among government, academia and industry, while Ige’s remarks pointed to a quadruple helix approach that includes society as a fourth stakeholder.
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Its outcomes have included innovations addressing challenges in agriculture, healthcare, environmental sustainability, energy and infrastructure. TETFund also reported that 18 researchers trained through R4i secured a collective $250,000 grant under the Science Granting Councils Initiative in 2024 to advance four innovations towards commercial viability.
Echono urged the graduates of Cohort 35 to build on the experience gained, while reaffirming TETFund’s commitment to supporting the initiative as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s research ecosystem and promote sustainable national development.