The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, has announced the fifth edition of the Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers (iFAIR), reaffirming Israel’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s growing innovation ecosystem and encouraging young entrepreneurs to transform ideas into sustainable businesses.

Freeman made the announcement at the closing ceremony and Innovation Showcase of the fourth cohort of the iFAIR programme in Abuja, describing the initiative as a testament to the enduring innovation partnership between Nigeria and Israel.

He revealed that funding had already been secured for the next phase of the programme, with the fifth cohort scheduled to commence in October 2026.

“Today is a celebration of what is possible when Israel and Nigeria believe in each other. I am so proud to stand here today and announce that we have secured with our partners funding for iFAIR 5, and iFAIR 5 will be launching in October 2026,” the ambassador said.

Freeman stressed that innovation goes beyond technology, noting that resilience, creativity and the ability to identify opportunities in difficult situations are the true drivers of meaningful innovation.

He explained that the fellowship was deliberately designed to help Nigerian innovators develop homegrown solutions to local challenges, rather than import foreign models.

“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.

Reflecting on his diplomatic engagement in Nigeria, Freeman highlighted the expanding cooperation between both countries in technology, education, healthcare and water management. He also expressed appreciation to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and Innov8 Hub for sustaining the programme.

Addressing the graduating participants, he urged them to remain focused on innovation beyond the fellowship, describing their courage to transform ideas into practical solutions as their greatest achievement.

On his part, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, said the iFAIR initiative is addressing one of Nigeria’s major innovation challenges by bridging the gap between research institutions and industry through the commercialization of university research and inventions.

According to him, TETFund is currently establishing innovation centres in more than 60 tertiary institutions across the country to enable students and researchers develop commercially viable products from their ideas.

“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,” Echono said.

Also speaking, the Head of Programmes and Ventures at Innov8 Hub, Tolulope Aina, said Nigeria possesses abundant innovative talent but requires stronger institutional support to transform ideas into thriving industries.

He disclosed that Innov8 Hub has supported more than 3,000 researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs, while over 120 professionals currently work within the organisation to strengthen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.

The Chief Executive Officer of Engineers Without Borders Israel, Michal Dolav Hashimshony, commended the ingenuity of the graduating innovators, describing Innov8 Hub as a platform capable of driving transformative change across Africa.

She said the participants demonstrated that technology should always remain human-centred and praised the increasing contribution of women to Nigeria’s innovation landscape, describing the female innovators and leaders she encountered as exceptionally talented and a source of optimism.

The iFAIR programme is a collaborative initiative of the Embassy of Israel in Nigeria, TETFund and Innov8 Hub. The nine-month innovation and venture development programme provides mentorship, technical support, product development assistance, fabrication, testing, business advisory services and investment opportunities to help early-stage startups, researchers and entrepreneurs transform innovative ideas into sustainable businesses.