Group backs solution-driven research for Nigeria’s development

Innov8 Hub, a non-profit innovation centre, has called for heightened investment in research-driven solutions to address Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.

The call was made by Deji Ige, the NGO’s Deputy General Manager, during a briefing with journalists at the one-day demo of the Academic Solutions Incubation Programme (ASIP) in Abuja.

The event, entitled “TETFAIR 5, 6, 7 and ASIP: Demo Day”, was organised by Innov8 Hub in collaboration with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Alliance for Innovative Research (TETFAIR).

It featured the unveiling of 15 fully functional prototypes developed by academics and researchers from tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

These solutions spanned critical sectors including agriculture, health, construction technology, digital innovation, and energy.

Ige said the initiative underscored the outcomes of Innov8 Hub’s partnership with TETFund.

“Innov8 Hub is the implementing partner of TETFAIR and ASIP. Participants were selected through an open call to academics with ideas capable of being transformed into practical solutions for societal challenges,” he explained.

He further outlined the rigorous selection process, saying, “Many academics applied, and the most viable and achievable ideas were selected through a free and fair process.

“Successful applicants were admitted into the programme, which aims to ensure that research has an end goal, transformation. Researchers must be solution-driven.”

Highlighting the next steps for the projects, Ige revealed that after the research stage, products undergo market validation to test durability and applicability, a measure designed to attract further investment and scale solutions for broader commercialisation.

“Every participant in TETFAIR, ASIP, and other TETFund initiatives implemented by Innov8 Hub participates free of charge. All expenses from selection to completion are fully covered,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Sunny Echono, TETFund Executive Secretary, emphasised the role of innovation in revamping Nigeria’s education and economic landscape.

“Our national economy has been dwindling because the focus has been on producing graduates for administrative or office roles.

“With a rapidly growing population and the demands of the knowledge economy, we must prioritise creativity, skills, and innovation,” he said.

Echono stressed the need to start with academia, noting that equipping lecturers with the right skills ensures that innovation-driven teaching filters down to students.

“This is why we launched multiple programmes with Innov8 Hub to reignite the creative and research spirit among lecturers,” he added.

The demo day also featured training sessions for lecturers on business development, business modelling, product refinement, technical mentorship, prototype design, and fabrication.

Participants engaged directly with investors and industry leaders in “Deal Rooms” to explore potential partnerships and investment opportunities.

Highpoints of the event included live pitch sessions, presentation of awards, a stage play depicting an innovator’s journey, the Ecolab showcase, and presentations of patents and copyrights, all underscoring Nigeria’s growing potential in innovation-led development.

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