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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate Nigeria’s transition toward an innovation-driven, knowledge-based economy.
The partnership is expected to strengthen universities and polytechnics as engines of research commercialisation, entrepreneurship, job creation, and technological advancement.
Abdulmumin Oniyangi, Director, Public Relations, TETFund, in a statement on Thursday, explained that the partnership will be implemented through the National Innovation and Digital Transformation Partnership Programme (NIDTPP) which is a joint platform for programming, co-investment, technical collaboration, and ecosystem coordination.
He noted that through the MoU, both institutions will focus on five strategic areas: Institutionalising innovation across tertiary institutions; Strengthening Nigeria’s human capital base for transformative innovation; Accelerating research commercialisation and frontier technology adoption; Scaling access to sustainable financing for innovation; and Strengthening evidence, policy, governance, and impact systems.
He also noted that under the partnership, the UNDP and TETFund will activate eight University Innovation Pods and one Polytechnic Pod, Upgrade 9+ additional TETFund-funded innovation facilities, establish or strengthen 15–20 Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs), equip over 500,000 students and researchers with digital and innovation skills, and support 1,500–2,000 university-linked startups and commercialise 5,000 research outputs.
Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, said the partnership will strengthen TETFund’s mandate and expands the ability to deliver world-class innovation systems, research capacity, and job-creating ventures within Nigeria’s tertiary education landscape.
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He further explained that the partnership directly supports the Renewed Hope Agenda, the National Development Plan, the Nigeria Startup Act, and National Digital and Youth Programmes including NJFP and 3MTT.
“It also connects Nigerian universities to UNDP’s timbuktoo pan-African innovation ecosystem. Through this MoU, UNDP and TETFund reaffirm their joint commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s innovation landscape, expanding digital capabilities, and driving high-impact, sustainable development outcomes across the country.”
On his side, Elsie Attafuah, the UNDP Resident Representative, described TETFund as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s nation-building project, adding that its investments have strengthened infrastructure, expanded research, and enabled thousands of scholars to advance knowledge and national development.
She said: “UNDP is honoured to partner with TETFund in this next phase, one that deliberately advances innovation, digital transformation, and the knowledge economy across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.”
She further noted that the MoU will be followed by the rapid finalisation of a Programme and Joint Action Plan to be anchored in upcoming TETFund budget cycles, ensuring strong alignment between vision, financing, and implementation.
