The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), in collaboration with Innov8 Hub, celebrated a major milestone in Nigerian research and innovation drive through the showcase of groundbreaking prototypes developed under the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI). The event highlighted the success of Nigerian research teams in translating academic ideas into real-world solutions.
During the event, which held at the Innov8Hub, Abuja, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny S.T. Echono while addressing the participants and stakeholders, reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to advancing Research and Development (R&D) as a cornerstone for national progress.
“In 2024, TETFund secured a $250,000 research grant through SGCI, an initiative funded by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). This grant supported selected research teams from Nigerian tertiary institutions that had previously participated in TETFund’s Research for Impact (R4i) initiative—an intensive innovation program facilitated by Innov8 Hub,” he said.
Echono said the showcased projects address global challenges and are aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including clean energy, water and sanitation, sustainable land use, and infrastructure innovation.
Innovations and prototypes presented included I-GEL, a reusable, multipurpose device that captures atmospheric water, stores it, and delivers it directly to plant roots, promoting water conservation and sustainable agriculture; Jolly Fryer, a smart heat exchanger and insulated frying chamber that improves frying efficiency and safety designed to modernize traditional food processing methods.
Others are; Aqau-rite, an electricity-free water purification system capable of removing pathogens from drinking water supporting communities without reliable access to clean water and an Airvolt , a cost-effective and durable wind turbine that delivers off-grid power for homes and businesses enhancing access to clean, renewable energy in remote areas.
The Executive Secretary noted that TETFund’s collaboration with Kenya’s African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), which manages the implementation of SGCI grants, was also highlighted as a key enabler of success.
Arc. Echono applauded the research teams for their ingenuity and resilience, describing them as “Architects of Nigeria’s future”. He added that such initiatives are transforming Nigeria’s academic landscape, fostering innovation that drives economic growth and national development.
He emphasized that “by supporting these incubation journeys, we are investing in a movement that is reshaping the very foundation of Nigeria’s academic and innovation landscape,” he said.
Speaking at the event, the Technical Adviser on Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Capital to the Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr. Francis Sani, who represented the minister, lauded the consortium of partners for supporting research and innovation in Nigeria, particularly in the development of technologies that can drive economic growth and bring solutions to societal challenges.
He pointed out the importance of collaboration between government, academia, and industry in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. He also noted that the projects being showcased by the research teams are proof to the potential of Nigerian innovators and researchers and expressed confidence that these innovations would have a significant impact on the country’s economic development.
Also speaking at the event via the Zoom platform, the RIM Project Coordinator, African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), Kenya, Dr Nicolas Odongo, commended the consortium of partners for leading the project.
“These four projects implemented in Nigeria represent more than just academic or technical success; they are a testament to the power of knowledge to transform lives, communities, and futures in pursuit of sustainable livelihoods. They reflect our shared commitment to advancing science, technology and innovation that is rooted in indigenous knowledge, responsive to pressing challenges, and geared toward sustainable impact and futures, he added.
