The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has challenged Nigerian academics and researchers to move beyond publishing scholarly papers and focus on developing practical innovations that address societal challenges, create jobs and generate economic opportunities.

The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Dr Sonny Echono, gave the charge in Abuja on Friday through the Assistant Director of Research and Development, Dr Hadiza Ismail, at the closing ceremony of the 35th cohort of the Research for Impact Initiative (R4i).

Echono said the initiative, implemented in partnership with Innov8 Hub, was part of the Fund’s efforts to institutionalise research and development in public tertiary institutions and strengthen collaboration among academia, industry and government.

He stressed the need for Nigeria to develop indigenous technologies capable of addressing local challenges rather than relying heavily on innovations from other countries.

“We must empower our scholars to create local solutions for our societal problems. This is why a commitment to education is a commitment to our nation’s future, ensuring that our people are not just consumers of foreign technology, but innovators who can drive sustainable growth,” he said.

According to him, technological advancement has become a major driver of economic transformation, making investment in quality education, research and innovation essential for sustainable national development.

“At TETFund, we are refocusing and reinvigorating our intervention activities to drive the institutionalisation of Research and Development in public tertiary institutions, enhance research capacity, and support research-industry linkage, among others,” Echono stated.

He explained that the Research for Impact Initiative was designed to reposition public tertiary institutions as drivers of a knowledge-based economy by encouraging solution-oriented research and innovative practices.

The Executive Secretary commended Innov8 Hub for providing technical expertise and mentorship to participating academics, urging the graduates to apply the knowledge acquired during the intensive training to develop solutions that would benefit their institutions and communities.

He disclosed that some innovations produced through previous editions of the programme were showcased at the maiden TETFund National Research Fair and Exhibition in November 2024.

Echono also announced that the second edition of the fair would hold from November 23 to 27, 2026, at the Abuja Trade and Convention Centre, Airport Road.

The exhibition, he said, would provide researchers with opportunities to showcase their innovations, connect with industry stakeholders and explore partnerships for commercialising research outputs.

Speaking at the event, the Deputy General Manager of Innov8 Hub, Dr Deji Ige, said the programme was designed to establish a culture in which research and development drive innovation, enterprise creation and national development.

Ige noted that the initiative was changing how academics approach research by encouraging them to develop practical solutions with the potential to benefit society and industry.

“Innovation thrives in a culture where research and development are the primary languages of interaction. If we can learn, understand and revive this culture, the outcomes will include inventions, solutions, technological advancement, enterprise development, job creation, wealth generation, meaningful impact and societal development,” he said.

He emphasised the importance of collaboration among government, academia, industry and society, warning that research without practical impact could limit the contributions of tertiary institutions to technological advancement.

The Innov8 Hub official described the partnership with TETFund as an important step towards bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical innovation.

One of the participants, Farida Adamu Mohammed of the Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, said the programme had transformed her understanding of research by shifting her focus from academic publications to solutions capable of being commercialised.

Mohammed explained that the 10-day intensive training equipped participants with skills in identifying real-world problems, evaluating ideas, understanding users’ needs and developing prototypes.

She added that the training covered the responsible use of artificial intelligence, the Business Model Canvas, user co-creation and effective presentation of ideas to potential investors and collaborators.

“Indeed, R4i has completely changed my perspective on research, shifting my focus from research for publication to research that creates impact, drives commercialisation, and generates profit,” she said.

Similarly, Engr. Austine Omoraka of the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, Delta State, said the programme had strengthened his commitment to applying engineering research to practical challenges, particularly in his state.

Omoraka said the combination of research, prototyping, market validation and business planning had provided him with a structured approach to developing ideas into potentially marketable solutions.

“The training has encouraged me to view research not merely as an academic exercise but as a pathway to innovation and societal transformation,” he said.

He expressed optimism that applying the knowledge gained would contribute to affordable local technologies, entrepreneurship, job creation and sustainable economic growth.

At the ceremony, members of Cohort 35 unveiled six innovations developed to address practical challenges across different sectors.

The innovations included Bake Check, a web-based application designed to screen bread for bromate by analysing colour changes in a test solution through image capture and calibration.

Another team developed EcoCeramix, a bio-absorbent clay geofilter cartridge made from locally calcined clay, silica and rice husk ash. The product is designed to fit standard household water-storage buckets.

Other innovations presented were EcoSort, a hardware-based device designed to scan piles of waste at dump sites and recycling facilities; Agrivault, a cooperative-operated storage facility; a real-time delivery-tracking application; and a solar-powered mosquito-responsive device.

The Research for Impact Initiative was launched in 2022 by TETFund in partnership with Innov8 Hub to help academics translate research ideas into practical innovations, prototypes and potentially commercial products.

The programme provides hands-on training in problem identification, ideation, prototyping, testing, business planning, pitching, fundraising and business incubation, equipping researchers with the skills to develop solutions that respond to the needs of potential users.

It also promotes collaboration among government, academia and industry, while recognising the importance of society in the innovation process.

Beyond the immediate training outcomes, the initiative has created opportunities for researchers to access additional funding and advance their innovations towards commercialisation.

TETFund has reported that 18 researchers trained through the programme secured a collective $250,000 grant under the Science Granting Councils Initiative in 2024 to advance four innovations towards commercial viability.

The initiative complements the Fund’s broader research and development interventions, including the TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research, which supports the advancement of research outputs and the development of prototypes with commercial potential.

However, the long-term success of such interventions will depend on the ability of researchers to attract investment, secure industry partnerships, bring their products to market and develop sustainable solutions to Nigeria’s development challenges.

Echono urged the graduating researchers to build on the experience gained through the programme, reaffirming TETFund’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s research ecosystem and promoting innovation-driven national development.