The Tertiary Education Trust Fund has announced plans to establish 18 innovation hubs across tertiary institutions in 2025 to strengthen Nigeria’s research and innovation.

The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, disclosed this at the closing ceremony of the 30th Cohort of the Research for Impact (R4i) initiative, held at Innov8 Technology Hub in Abuja, according to a statement by the Fund on Saturday.

He said the initiative was part of the Fund’s commitment to fostering a culture of problem-solving, research, entrepreneurship, and technological advancement.

Echono emphasized the importance of education and research in nation-building and sustainable development.

The R4i programme, in collaboration with Innov8 Technology Hub, aimed to enhance the capacity of researchers and academics to conduct innovative, solution-driven research that addresses societal challenges.

He stated that the fund was committed to supporting the institutionalization of Research & Development (R&D) in Nigerian universities and promoting research-industry linkages.

According to him, TETFund is also establishing innovation hubs and entrepreneurship centres across institutions in phases. He said this phased approach would allow participants to continue applying and mentoring others in their innovative work.

The Executive Secretary also emphasized the vital role of research in improving the national quality of life and thanked Innov8 for its partnership in transforming the innovation ecosystem. Participants were encouraged to apply their training to create impactful innovations in their institutions and communities.

“I am pleased to admit that the participants of previous cohorts of this initiative impressed us with their commitment during the training, which enabled them to come up with innovations in various areas of societal needs.

“Let me also acknowledge that some of the innovations from previous editions of this programme were exhibited at the maiden edition of the TETFund National Research Fair/Exhibition held in November 2024 in Abuja.

The first phase will involve 12 beneficiary institutions under the 2023 intervention year, the second phase will involve 18 institutions under the 2024 intervention, and the third phase will involve another 18 institutions under the 2025 intervention.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, Professor Idris M. Bugaje, emphasised the importance of patenting innovations and registering trade names for intellectual property protection. He encouraged Nigerian polytechnics to lead the way in practical innovation by applying scientific principles to create products and technologies that can elevate Nigeria’s technological standing.