Nigeria and Israel Collaborate to Boost University Innovation

The Federal Government of Nigeria, via the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), has announced a partnership with Israel to address the challenge of commercializing university research. This initiative was unveiled in Abuja, where Israel confirmed funding for the fifth edition of the Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers (iFAIR 5), set to launch in October 2026.

TETFund Executive Secretary Sonny Echono stated that the primary issue is not a lack of ideas but the failure to convert research into commercially viable products. To combat this, TETFund is investing in innovation infrastructure, establishing centers across over 60 tertiary institutions to serve as incubation hubs for students and researchers.

Outgoing Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, emphasized that the fellowship aims to empower Nigerian innovators to develop solutions for local challenges, rather than relying on imported technologies. This initiative seeks to transform research findings into businesses that can create jobs and wealth in Nigeria.