Investment in research-driven solutions needed to propel Nigerian economy – Innov8 Hub

Innov8 Hub has emphasised the need for increased investment in research-driven solutions capable of accelerating Nigeria’s economic development.

Dr. Deji Ige, Deputy General Manager of Innov8 Hub, made the call on Thursday in Abuja while briefing journalists at the one-day demo event for the Academic Solutions Incubation Programme (ASIP).

The event, titled “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. The solutions span agriculture, health, construction technology, digital innovation, energy, and other key sectors.

“We are showcasing the outcomes of our partnership with TETFund,” Ige said. “Innov8 Hub is the implementing partner of TETFAIR and ASIP. Participants were selected through an open call to academics in Nigerian tertiary institutions—those who have ideas that can be transformed into solutions addressing societal challenges.

“A lot of them applied, and the most viable and achievable ideas were selected through a free and fair process. The successful applicants were then brought into the programme. There should be an end goal to every research, and that goal should be transformation. Researchers should be solution-driven.”

In his remarks, Executive Secretary of TETFund, Mr. Sunny Echono, said the initiative seeks to strengthen the link between innovation-driven teaching and the development needs of the society.

“Our national economy has been dwindling because Nigeria and the world have moved away from producing graduates who merely fill administrative or office positions,” Echono said.

“With the rapid expansion of our population and the rise of the knowledge economy—which emphasises skills, talent, creativity and innovation—we saw the need for a fundamental shift in our education system.

“To achieve that, we had to start with the academia—the teaching staff and faculty. When you teach a teacher and he goes back to the classroom, he is able to transfer that knowledge to his students.

“This is why we launched several programmes in partnership with Innov8 Hub. These programmes are designed to equip our lecturers and reignite their creative and research spirit.”

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