By Chika Nwachukwu, Abuja
The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, has expressed confidence in the future of Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem and announced that funding has been secured for the fifth edition of the Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers (iFAIR).
Speaking at the closing ceremony and Innovation Showcase of iFAIR Cohort 4 in Abuja, Ambassador Freeman said the programme reflects the strong innovation partnership between Nigeria and Israel and confirmed that iFAIR 5 will launch in October 2026.
“Today is a celebration of what is possible when Israel and Nigeria believe in each other. I am so proud to stand here today and announce that we have secured with our partners funding for iFAIR 5, and iFAIR 5 will be launching in October 2026,” he said.
According to Freeman, innovation is driven not merely by technology but by resilience, creativity and the ability to identify opportunities amid challenges.
“Innovation is not simply about technology. It’s about learning to see opportunities where others see obstacles. It’s about asking ‘why not?’ instead of ‘why?’. It’s about resilience, creativity, partnership, and determination to build something better,” he said.
The Ambassador explained that the fellowship was intentionally designed to empower Nigerian innovators to develop local solutions to local problems rather than replicate foreign models.
“This programme has never been about bringing Israeli solutions to Nigeria. It’s been about helping brilliant Nigerian innovators develop Nigerian solutions to Nigerian challenges supported by Israeli experience, mentorship, and innovation,” he said.
Reflecting on his diplomatic mission, Freeman said Nigeria and Israel had deepened cooperation in technology, education, healthcare and water management, while thanking the Tertiary Education Trust Fund and Innov8 Hub for sustaining the initiative. He challenged the graduating entrepreneurs to remain committed to innovation beyond the fellowship.
“The certificate you will receive soon is not your greatest achievement. Your greatest achievement was having the courage to take an idea and turn it into something real. Nigeria needs innovators like you. Africa needs innovators like you. The world needs innovators like you,” he said.
On his part, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Sonny Echono, said the iFAIR initiative is helping bridge the gap between research and industry by promoting the commercialization of university inventions.
“The main problem we are solving is how to commercialize university research results and inventions, bridging the gap between academia, government, and the productive industrial sector,” Echono said.
He disclosed that TETFund is establishing innovation centres in more than 60 tertiary institutions nationwide to enable students and researchers convert ideas into commercially viable products.
“As I speak, TETFund is providing facilities and establishing innovation centers across over 60 tertiary institutions so that students, while still in school, can find solutions to global and national challenges,” he added.
Also speaking, the Head of Programmes and Ventures at Innov8 Hub, Tolulope Aina, said Nigeria has no shortage of innovative talent but requires stronger systems that transform ideas into industries.
“Every nation has ideas, but only a few succeed in transforming them into industries and lasting prosperity. The difference lies in the strength of the ecosystem that turns innovation into real-world impact,” he said.
Aina noted that Innov8 Hub has supported over 3,000 researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs, while more than 120 professionals now work within the organisation to strengthen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.
The Chief Executive Officer of Engineers Without Borders Israel, Michal Dolav Hashimshony, commended the ingenuity of the graduating entrepreneurs and described Innov8 Hub as an ecosystem capable of driving meaningful change across Africa.
“You are inspiring. You make us feel optimistic because we believe technology must always be human-centered. Engineering has the power to change lives and create real impact,” she said.
She also commended the significant role women are playing in Nigeria’s innovation landscape, describing the female innovators and leaders she met during the visit as “extremely talented” and a source of optimism.
The iFAIR programme is a partnership between the Embassy of Israel in Nigeria, TETFund and Innov8 Hub, providing mentorship, technical support and investment opportunities to help researchers and entrepreneurs transform innovative ideas into sustainable businesses.
iFAIR is also a 9-month innovation and venture development program supporting early stage startups and entrepreneurs in turning ideas into real products and stronger ventures. It helps founders reach their next milestone, from transforming ideas into tested prototypes to improving existing products through technical refinement, fabrication, testing and business support.
