The Federal Government, through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), has strengthened its partnership with Israel to transform university research into commercially successful businesses, unveiling new funding, mentorship opportunities and innovation centres across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
The renewed collaboration was announced on Friday in Abuja during the closing ceremony of the Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers (iFAIR) Cohort 4, where Israel confirmed funding for the programme’s fifth edition, scheduled to begin in October 2026.
TETFund Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono, said Nigeria’s biggest innovation challenge is not the absence of brilliant ideas but the inability to convert research into products that create jobs, industries and wealth.
“The main problem we are solving is how to commercialise university research results and inventions, bridging the gap between academia, government and the productive industrial sector.”
Echono disclosed that TETFund is establishing innovation centres in more than 60 tertiary institutions across the country to help students and researchers develop market-ready products while still in school.
According to him, the centres will serve as incubation hubs where innovators can refine their ideas, access technical support, attract investors and compete in global markets.
Outgoing Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, announced that funding had been secured for iFAIR 5, reaffirming Israel’s commitment to supporting Nigerian innovators.
“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.
Freeman said the initiative has successfully connected researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and government institutions, helping innovative ideas evolve into businesses capable of creating employment and driving economic growth.
Technology entrepreneur and Andela co-founder, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, urged Nigeria to embrace technology and Artificial Intelligence to remain globally competitive.
“Nigeria has a median age of 17.6 years. We are dealing with a critical question of national productivity, especially in the age of Artificial Intelligence, ” he said.
He warned that failure to invest in AI and productivity could leave the country facing decades of economic stagnation.
The event also featured dozens of innovations developed by young Nigerians in agriculture, healthcare, renewable energy and community development, showcasing affordable technologies designed to solve local challenges.
Head of Programmes at Innov8 Hub, Tolulope Aina, challenged participants to move beyond prototypes and focus on building successful businesses.
“The finished prototypes you see today are only the start. You must carry these products across the finish line into the commercial market, ” she said.
Officials of Innov8 Hub revealed that the organisation has supported more than 3,000 innovators, researchers and entrepreneurs, while also manufacturing over 10,000 face shields locally during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The renewed Nigeria-Israel partnership is expected to accelerate technology transfer, expand mentorship opportunities and attract greater investment into research commercialisation, positioning innovation as a major driver of Nigeria’s economic diversification beyond oil.
