TETFUND to establish 18 innovation hubs across tertiary institutions
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund has announced plans to establish 18 innovation hubs across tertiary institutions in 2025 to strengthen Nigeria’s research and innovation.
A statement by the Fund on Saturday said the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, disclosed this at the closing ceremony of the 30th Cohort of the Research for Impact (R4i) initiative, held at Innov8 Technology Hub in Abuja.
He said the initiative is part of the Fund’s commitment to fostering a culture of problem-solving, research, entrepreneurship, and technological advancement.
Echono emphasized the importance of education and research in nation-building and sustainable development.
The R4i programme, in collaboration with Innov8 Technology Hub, aims to enhance the capacity of researchers and academics to conduct innovative, solution-driven research that addresses societal challenges.
He stated that the fund is committed to supporting the institutionalization of Research & Development (R&D) in Nigerian universities and promoting research-industry linkages.
According to him, TETFund is also establishing innovation hubs and entrepreneurship centres across institutions in phases. He said this phased approach will allow participants to continue applying and mentoring others in their innovative work.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, Professor Idris M. Bugaje,
emphasised the importance of patenting innovations and registering trade names for intellectual property protection. He encouraged Nigerian polytechnics to lead the way in practical innovation by applying scientific principles to create products and technologies that can elevate Nigeria’s technological standing.
