The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, has unveiled plans to expand participation in the 2026 National Research Fair and Exhibition to accelerate the commercialisation of research findings and strengthen collaboration among academia, industry and investors.

Speaking on Friday in Abuja while inaugurating the 2026 National Research Fair and Exhibition Committee, Echono said the initiative was aimed at transforming research outputs into commercially viable products capable of creating jobs, boosting local manufacturing and driving Nigeria’s economic development.

He explained that the decision to broaden the committee’s composition followed the success of the maiden edition of the fair held in November 2024, which showcased innovative solutions from tertiary institutions and fostered stronger partnerships between researchers and industry stakeholders.

According to him, the inaugural exhibition produced several research spin-offs that have since been introduced into the Nigerian market, contributing to innovation and employment generation.

“We are hopeful that the success recorded during the maiden edition has also stimulated job creation through the commercialisation of research outputs,” he said.

Echono disclosed that the reconstituted committee now includes representatives from the organised private sector, innovation hubs, relevant government ministries, the Nigerian military, the Association of Nigerian Inventors, community inventors and other strategic stakeholders.

He said the committee’s mandate includes identifying, documenting and showcasing proven research and development outputs, technologies and products, while creating opportunities for collaboration among researchers, entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists, intellectual property experts and technology licensing professionals.

According to him, the committee will also compile a comprehensive national database of research outputs from universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and research institutes across the country, while selecting innovations for exhibition later this year.

The TETFund Executive Secretary further revealed that the exhibition would feature an international conference designed to attract researchers, innovators and industry experts from across Africa and beyond.

He stressed that participation would not be limited to institutions benefiting from TETFund interventions, noting that every Nigerian with an innovative product, service or invention would be encouraged to participate.

“We’ll be advertising for entries, and any Nigerian who has developed a product, service or invention will be expected to apply,” he said.

Echono also urged exhibitors from the maiden edition to return with improved innovations and newly developed products to demonstrate the progress made since the last exhibition.

He reaffirmed TETFund’s commitment to making the National Research Fair and Exhibition Nigeria’s premier innovation platform where inventors, researchers and innovators can showcase their work and attract investment for commercialisation.

Highlighting the broader significance of the initiative, Echono said Nigeria possesses enormous intellectual resources that, if properly harnessed, could transform key sectors of the economy, promote local manufacturing, create wealth and generate employment across multiple value chains.

Responding on behalf of the committee, Chairman Umar Bindir commended the Executive Secretary for expanding the committee’s membership to include researchers, industry leaders, inventors and policymakers, describing the inclusive approach as an innovation in itself.

Bindir pledged that the committee would work diligently to achieve its mandate of strengthening the link between research and industry while ensuring the success of the 2026 National Research Fair and Exhibition.

Earlier, TETFund’s Director of Research and Development and Centres of Excellence, Suleiman Zwingina, said the Fund had supported numerous research and development projects that had produced promising technologies and prototypes requiring commercialisation.

He said the National Research Fair and Exhibition was established to provide a platform where research outputs could attract industry partners and be transformed into products and services capable of addressing Nigeria’s developmental challenges while contributing to sustainable economic growth.