The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, has welcomed Nigeria’s selection as one of 17 African countries to participate in the Science Granting Council Initiative’s research projects.

The Guardian reports that four of 82 research and innovation projects of the Initiative are located in Nigeria

Recall that at the inauguration of the initial bootcamp of SGCI funding of research grants in June 2024, four research teams from TETFund beneficiary institutions were awarded a $250,000 grant to translate their research into commercialised goods and services.

The four research teams comprise 18 researchers from 14 Nigerian universities.

Speaking at the Innov8 Hub Abuja, where the teams showcased their projects, Echono noted that the initiative aims to strengthen research capacities in Sub-Saharan Africa and bridge the gap between research and practical application.

The executive secretary emphasised that the grant awarded to the Nigerian research teams has helped them develop market-ready prototypes and pitch their innovations to industries, leading to tangible economic benefits.

While expressing delight that the teams have developed innovative solutions to address pressing societal challenges, the TETFund boss noted that the research projects align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and focus on areas such as Affordable and Clean Energy, Life on Land, Clean Water and Sanitation, and Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

The projects, he stated, are part of the Research for Impact (R4i) initiative, which aims to transform research into viable and market-ready solutions.

He said: “Through transformative initiatives like the SGCI partnership projects, we are not just funding prototypes, we are also fuelling a movement, where a single innovation in a university laboratory or workshop can ripple outward, creating jobs, solving societal problems, and putting Nigeria on the map as the hub of African ingenuity. I am particularly happy that this is manifesting at the intersection of the Triple Helix Synergy among the Government, Academia, and Industry. Alone, each has limits. Together, they can form a veritable catalyst for sustainable development.

“TETFund remains steadfast in the belief that Research and Development is the bedrock upon which great nations are built. It is through this bridge between theory and practical application that we can close the gap between knowledge and impact. By supporting these incubation journeys, we are investing in a movement that is reshaping the very foundation of Nigeria’s academic and innovation landscape. Across our nation’s tertiary institutions, a revolution is unfolding where complex concepts are being transformed into real-world solutions, and academic theories are reimagined as life-changing innovations.

“The Fund is committed to advancing research and innovation within academia, knowing that its ripple effects drive technological advancement, economic growth, and national prosperity. This initiative is a shining example of how research can transcend theory and evolve into commercially viable, solution-oriented innovations, thereby setting a bold new benchmark of excellence in Nigerian tertiary education”.

On his part, Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, lauded the consortium of partners for supporting research and innovation in Nigeria, particularly in the development of technologies that can drive economic growth and solve societal challenges.

Represented by his Technical Adviser on Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Capital, Francis Sani, the minister emphasised the importance of collaboration between government, academia, and industry in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

Dr. Tijani noted that the projects being showcased by the research teams are a testament to the potential of Nigerian innovators and researchers and expressed his confidence that these innovations would have a significant impact on the country’s economic development.

The minister also highlighted the need for continued support for research and innovation in Nigeria, and pledged the ministry’s commitment to working with TETFund and other stakeholders to promote the development of technologies that can drive economic growth and improve the lives of Nigerians.

Also speaking, the RIM Project Coordinator, African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), Kenya, Dr Nicolas Odongo and Deputy General Manager, Innov8 Hub, Dr Deji Ige, commended the consortium of partners for spearheading 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. They are a testament to the power of partnerships and collaboration, and I am glad to see that the partnerships which began last year are now starting to bear fruit,” Dr Odongo said.