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By Chika Mefor-Nwachukwu
Plans are being made by the Federal government to replicate innovation hubs projects in public universities and other higher education institutions in the country.
The Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono disclosed this at the opening of TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research (TETFAIR) initiative on Wednesday in Abuja.
The TETFund boss, who said the TETFAIR programme was put in place in collaboration with Innov8 Hub, revealed that the move was part of efforts to institutionalise Research and Development (R&D) in Nigeria.
” The programme is designed to support the advancement of solution-driven research, innovation and sustainable development in Nigeria. Being a year-long programme, TETFAIR is aimed at providing unique opportunity for our academics and researchers in Nigerian Universities to transform their ideas into market-driven solutions, including the development and fabrication of prototypes.
” Through the programme, selected teams of researchers and academic staff with promising ideas for innovative solutions in the programme areas of focus, are being taken through a journey that combines technology and product development along with venture creation, ” he said.
Echono also revealed that many Nigerians who took part in start-up programmes by Innov8 hub have recorded many breakthroughs in inventions and technology.
“The programme is carefully packaged to take the participants through various courses that combine the intricacies, processes and procedures of Innovation Development, Prototyping and Venture Creation to enable them bring their innovative ideas to fruition,” he said.
Speaking further, Echono said the initiative is also aimed at providing solutions to identified challenges based on strategic needs and national priorities in areas such as Agriculture and Food Technology; Environment, Energy and Circular Economy; Health and Accessibility: Information Communication Technology; Security; Transportation, Aviation, Shipping, among others.
The TETFund boss also revealed that the Fund has sponsored production of another set of 50 books, which will soon be unveiled for use in tertiary institutions in the country.
Declaring the TETFAIR open, Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu said the initiative would help address gaps and proffer solution that will help Nigeria meet global demands.
Represented by Minister of State for Education, Goodluck Nanah Opiah, Adamu, who commended TETFund for the initiative, said developed countries leverage on science and technology to achieve their status.
The event was also attended by Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Senator Adeleke Mamora who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Monilola Udoh, communication adviser, innovat8 hub Deji Ige and other stakeholders in the sector.
