TETFund Champions Nigerian Innovation as Researchers Unveil Market-Ready Prototypes
By Uji Iliyasu, Abuja
At the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) Demo Day and Closing Ceremony held in Abuja on Wednesday, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, lauded Nigerian researchers for developing homegrown, commercially viable innovations.
“This is more than just a prototype showcase. We are witnessing the result of a deliberate effort to turn ideas into impact, research into enterprise, and academia into an engine for national development,” Echono said.
The SGCI is a multi-donor initiative that enhances the capacity of science funding councils in 17 African nations. Under this initiative, TETFund secured a $250,000 grant in 2023 to support selected Nigerian researchers through its Research for Impact (R4i) programme. The grant—sponsored by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)—was awarded to four research teams comprising 18 researchers from Nigerian tertiary institutions.
In partnership with Kenya’s African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) and Nigeria’s Innov8 Hub, the SGCI project focused on transforming promising research into ready-for-market solutions within a 12-month period.
Echono stated that the prototypes displayed reflect the effectiveness of the R4i initiative, which he described as fuelling a national innovation movement. He noted that the innovations addressed both national and global development goals in key sectors including clean energy, agriculture, water sanitation, and sustainable infrastructure.
Among the prototypes were AirVolt, a renewable energy solution; I-GEL, an agricultural biotechnology product aimed at improving food resilience; and the Jolly Fryer, a refined device for processing garri, a staple West African food.
Highlighting the role of collaboration, Echono said the event celebrates Nigeria’s capacity to lead in innovation through what he termed the Triple Helix Synergy—a collaborative model involving academia, government, and industry.
“We will continue to support research that solves problems, creates jobs, and puts Nigeria on the global innovation map,” he affirmed.
Representing the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, Mr Francis Sani applauded TETFund for aligning innovation with national priorities. He also referenced government-led initiatives such as the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme and the Nigeria Talent Initiative, which aim to build an AI-ready workforce and generate 500,000 jobs through digital outsourcing hubs.
“We must build systems that transcend administrations and create lasting value. The SGCI work aligns directly with our blueprint’s key pillars—knowledge, policy, infrastructure, international capital, and trade,” Sani said.
Earlier, Nicholas Odongo, Project Coordinator at ACTS, highlighted the transformational potential of the showcased innovations. “These projects are more than academic achievements; they are a testament to the power of knowledge to transform lives and futures, rooted in indigenous insight and geared towards sustainable development,” he stated.
Gregory Ibe, Managing Director of Innov8 Hub, described the initiative as a major milestone in enhancing research governance and nurturing innovation across Africa.
“We take pride in fostering Nigeria’s most vibrant and innovative community—one that is becoming a beacon for researchers, entrepreneurs, and change makers invested in Africa’s future,” Ibe said. “The journey from research to execution underscores one powerful truth: African solutions can solve African challenges.”