TETFund Urges Researchers to Innovate for Job Creation

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has called on Nigerian academics and researchers to prioritize the development of practical, marketable innovations from their research rather than merely publishing scholarly papers. Dr Sonny Echono, TETFund Executive Secretary, made this statement in Abuja through Dr Hadiza Ismail, Assistant Director of Research and Development, during the closing ceremony of the 35th cohort of the Research for Impact Initiative (R4i).

Echono stressed that translating academic research into solutions for real-world problems would bolster local technological capacity, create jobs, and contribute to Nigeria's economic growth. He highlighted the need for Nigeria to develop home-grown technologies and reduce reliance on foreign innovations.

The R4i program aims to reposition public tertiary institutions as key players in a knowledge-based economy. Innovations from previous program participants were showcased at the inaugural TETFund National Research Fair and Exhibition in November 2024, with the second edition scheduled for November 23 to 27, 2026, at the Abuja Trade and Convention Centre.