TETFund Executive Secretary Sonny Echono made the call in Abuja during the closing ceremony of the 35th cohort of the Research for Impact Initiative (R4i), a programme implemented in partnership with Innov8 Hub.

Echono said the initiative forms part of TETFund’s efforts to strengthen research and development in public tertiary institutions and build stronger connections between universities, industries and government agencies.

He stressed that Nigeria must develop its capacity to create home-grown technologies instead of relying heavily on innovations developed abroad. According to him, investing in education and research is essential to building a sustainable economy and preparing Nigerians to develop solutions to local challenges.

The TETFund chief explained that the organisation was reviewing and strengthening its intervention programmes to improve research capacity, encourage the adoption of research and development within public tertiary institutions, and support collaboration between researchers and industry.

He said the Research for Impact Initiative was designed to help tertiary institutions contribute more directly to a knowledge-driven economy by encouraging innovation and research that produces measurable benefits.

Echono commended Innov8 Hub for its technical support and mentorship for participants. He also urged academics who completed the programme to apply the skills they had acquired to develop useful solutions for their institutions and surrounding communities.

He noted that innovations produced through earlier editions of the initiative had been displayed at the first TETFund National Research Fair and Exhibition in November 2024.

The next edition of the exhibition is scheduled to take place from November 23 to 27, 2026, at the Abuja Trade and Convention Centre on Airport Road. The event is expected to provide researchers with opportunities to present their work, engage with industry stakeholders and explore partnerships for commercialising their innovations.

Deputy General Manager of Innov8 Hub, Dr Deji Ige, said the initiative seeks to establish a stronger culture of research and development that supports invention, enterprise creation and national progress.

Ige explained that closer collaboration among government, academic institutions, industry and society would help research deliver more tangible outcomes. He warned that academic work with little practical application could limit the contribution of tertiary institutions to technological advancement and economic development.

He maintained that research becomes more valuable when it leads to solutions, new technologies, businesses, employment opportunities and broader social benefits.

The call highlights the need for Nigerian tertiary institutions to complement academic publications with innovation, industry partnerships and practical applications that can improve lives and support economic growth.

Reporting by TalkNaija Media