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The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the State of Israel have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration in research, innovation and entrepreneurship, as both partners pledged to expand support for Nigerian researchers and innovators through the Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers (iFAIR).
The renewed commitment was made at the graduation and innovation showcase of the fourth cohort of the iFAIR programme in Abuja, where stakeholders described the initiative as a growing platform for transforming research into commercially viable products, creating jobs and accelerating Nigeria’s transition to a knowledge-driven economy.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, said the iFAIR initiative aligns with the Fund’s broader vision of institutionalising research and development (R&D) across Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
He said the programme complements TETFund’s flagship research initiatives, including the Research for Impact (R4i) programme, the TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research (TETFAIR) and other capacity-building interventions designed to equip academics, researchers and inventors with the skills to address national challenges through innovation.
Echono noted that iFAIR focuses on critical sectors such as agriculture, food technology, medicine, education technology, clean energy and the circular economy, making it a strategic intervention that supports Nigeria’s development priorities.
He said the Fund has remained a principal partner of the programme because of its potential to transform innovative ideas into sustainable businesses capable of creating jobs, attracting investment and driving long-term economic growth.
“The main problem we are solving is how to commercialise university research results and inventions by bridging the gap between academia, government and the productive industrial sector,” Echono said.
He explained that weak collaboration between research institutions and industry has historically prevented many promising discoveries from reaching the market, stressing that initiatives such as iFAIR are helping to close that gap.
To further strengthen the country’s innovation ecosystem, Echono 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 while still in school.
“As I speak, TETFund is providing facilities and establishing innovation centres across over 60 tertiary institutions so that students, while still in school, can find solutions to global and national challenges,” he said.
The Executive Secretary added that previous iFAIR cohorts produced patented innovations and entrepreneurs who are already deploying home-grown solutions to address national development challenges.
He expressed confidence that the latest graduates would build on those successes and contribute to Nigeria’s economic transformation through research-based enterprises.
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Also speaking, the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, announced that funding had been secured for the fifth edition of iFAIR, which is scheduled to commence in October 2026.
Freeman described the fellowship as a symbol of the enduring innovation partnership between Nigeria and Israel, and one of the highlights of his four-and-a-half-year diplomatic mission.
“Today is a celebration of what is possible when Israel and Nigeria believe in each other. It’s important to note that we have secured funding for iFAIR 5, and it will launch in October 2026,” he said.
He explained that the programme was intentionally designed to empower Nigerian innovators to develop solutions to local challenges through Israeli mentorship, technical support and international collaboration rather than importing foreign models.
“This programme has never been about bringing Israeli solutions to Nigeria. It has been about helping brilliant Nigerian innovators develop Nigerian solutions to Nigerian challenges,” the ambassador said.
Freeman also commended TETFund and Echono for their leadership and unwavering commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s tertiary education system through innovation and entrepreneurship, describing the Fund as a critical partner in the programme’s success.
Head of Programmes and Ventures at Innov8 Hub, Tolulope Aina, said Nigeria possesses abundant innovative talent but requires stronger institutions and partnerships capable of transforming ideas into thriving industries.
According to him, Innov8 Hub has supported more than 3,000 researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs while building an ecosystem that connects innovators with mentors, investors and commercial opportunities.
The Chief Executive Officer of Engineers Without Borders Israel, Michal Dolav Hashimshony, also praised the creativity and ingenuity of the graduating fellows, describing Innov8 Hub as an innovation ecosystem capable of driving meaningful technological and social transformation across Africa.
She expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, particularly the increasing participation of women in science, technology and innovation.
The iFAIR programme is a nine-month innovation and venture development initiative jointly implemented by the Embassy of Israel in Nigeria, TETFund and Innov8 Hub.
It provides mentorship, technical support, product development assistance and investment opportunities to help researchers and entrepreneurs transform innovative ideas into sustainable businesses.
Stakeholders at the event said the continued collaboration between TETFund and Israel is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem, accelerate the commercialisation of research outcomes and produce more home-grown solutions capable of driving industrialisation, creating jobs and boosting economic growth.
