TETFund Calls for Collaboration to Boost Nigeria's Economy

Arc. Sonny Echono, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), called for enhanced collaboration between Nigeria’s universities, relevant institutions, and the private sector to foster long-term economic development and industrialization.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the fourth cohort of the Israel-Nigeria Innovation Fellowship for Entrepreneurship (iFER) in Abuja, Echono highlighted that many research findings with commercial potential remain unused due to weak connections between academia and industry. He noted that TETFund is addressing this challenge through investments in research and innovation initiatives, including the iFER program, the Research for Impact initiative, and the TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research (TETFAIR).

Echono announced plans for a national research fair later this year to showcase Nigerian innovations to policymakers and investors. Mr. Michael Freeman, the outgoing Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, confirmed funding for the fifth iFER edition starting in October 2026, praising the partnership's role in strengthening Nigeria's innovation ecosystem.