TETFund innovation drive yields results as 11 teams unveil prototypes
By Uji A Iliyasu Abuja
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has recorded another milestone in its push to strengthen research and innovation in Nigeria, as academics and researchers from tertiary institutions across the country showcased prototypes developed under the TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research (TETFAIR).
The unveiling took place on Thursday in Abuja during the closing event and Demo Day of TETFAIR. The programme is implemented in partnership with the Academic Solutions Incubation Programme (ASIP), the Science Granting Council Initiative (SGCI), and the INCUB8 Programme of the Innov8 Technology Hub.
Speaking at the event, TETFund Executive Secretary, Arch. Sonny Echono, commended participants for supporting the Fund’s mandate of promoting research and development in the tertiary education sector.
“Your presence underscores your support for the Fund’s unwavering commitment to advancing research and development in Nigeria,” he said. “Over the years, several initiatives and policies have been deployed to reduce unemployment, alleviate poverty and strengthen socio-economic development. Yet, many challenges persist. It has therefore become imperative to adopt a more sustainable approach driven by science, technology and innovation.”
Echono noted that the research commercialisation journey began with the launch of the Research for Impact (R4i) and Transformative Innovation Workshop (TIW) in 2021. This later expanded to include TETFAIR in 2022, ASIP and SGCI-supported projects, and the INCUB8 programmes introduced in 2024.
According to him, these interventions provide structured pathways for commercialising research, ranging from six-week intensive trainings to year-long incubation cycles.
“These programmes equip our researchers with technical support, mentorship, resources and the right environment to transform groundbreaking ideas into viable, real-world solutions,” he added.
Echono explained that the programmes align with key national development priorities such as agriculture and food technology, health, energy and the circular economy, environment, ICT, security, transportation and logistics, and production process improvement.
A highlight of the Demo Day was a pitch session featuring prototypes developed by 11 teams drawn from across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
The Polytechnic Ibadan team showcased Funfit, a gamified fitness device that generates electricity through exercise. Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri, presented Rampokids, a nutrient-rich cereal for children aged 2–5 produced with locally sourced ingredients. Federal Polytechnic, Ede demonstrated Powermantech, while Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti featured Ecopave, an environmentally friendly paving solution.
The Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze team introduced Orufe, a cassava shredding machine, while the Federal College of Education, Pankshin, showcased Agromareh, an AI-powered crop health monitoring platform.
Other innovations included Agromech, a motorised two-row hand-guided planter from the Federal College of Education, Katsina; Solarmilkpro, a solar-powered milking machine presented by Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto; and Agronova Dryer, a hybrid solar dryer developed by the University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Imo State.
Modibo Adama University featured Flo-Vend, an automated, web-enabled vending machine for menstrual hygiene products, while the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, unveiled Tripleshield Agro, an eco-innovative pesticide solution.
The event reaffirmed TETFund’s growing role in nurturing homegrown innovations capable of addressing national challenges and contributing to Nigeria’s socio-economic transformation.