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 of TETFund, Dr Sonny Echono, made the call in Abuja on Friday through the Assistant Director, Research and Development, Dr Hadiza Ismail, at the closing ceremony of the 35th cohort of the Research for Impact Initiative, R4i, on Friday.
Echono said the initiative, implemented in partnership with Innov8 Hub, was 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.
He said, “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.”
The executive secretary said Nigeria needed to strengthen its capacity to develop home-grown technologies rather than depend continuously 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.
According to him, the Research for Impact Initiative 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, urging the graduates to apply the knowledge acquired during the intensive training to develop solutions for their institutions and communities.
He also disclosed that some innovations emerging from previous editions of the programme were showcased at the maiden TETFund National Research Fair and Exhibition in November 2024.
He said the second edition of the fair would hold from November 23 to 27, 2026, at the Abuja Trade and Convention Centre, Airport Road, providing opportunities for researchers 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.
Ige said the programme was helping academics rethink the purpose of research by encouraging them to develop practical solutions with potential benefits for industry and society.
“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.
He 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,” Ige said.
He added that the collaboration between TETFund and Innov8 Hub was helping to strengthen the connection between academic knowledge and practical innovation.
