Embarking on a journey through the corridors of discovery, the wrapped up of TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research (TETFAIR) offered an inspiring weavvm. e of scientific ingenuity and innovation.
As TETFAIR wrapped up its inaugural edition on December 7th, 2023, the echoes of memorable moments lingered, painting a vivid canvas of breakthroughs and collaborative brilliance.
From the unveiling of groundbreaking studies to the spirited exchanges of knowledge, each moment captured during the fair’s unfolding chapters resonates with the essence of scientific exploration.
This year-long programme, initiated by Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in collaboration with Innov8 Hub, empowers Nigerian academics to transform their research into tangible innovations, solutions, and businesses.
TETFAIR 1 involved a series of intensive phases, starting with a bootcamp that kicked off a year ago.
Teams of acade, mics from diverse Nigerian universities embarked on a journey that included prototype development, market validation, mentorship, entrepreneurship training, venture creation, and finally, prototype pitching.
The culminating TETFAIR Showcase Event brought together distinguished guests, dignitaries, and stakeholders from the government, academia, and industry.
Among these distinguished individuals were the Honorable Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Rt. Hon. Simon B. Lalong, and prominent members of the National Assembly.
The event served as a platform to showcase the remarkable innovations developed by the various teams. Guests were captivated by the ingenuity of Nigerian academics, witnessing prototypes with the potential to address pressing societal challenges and pave the way for successful ventures.
Some of the TETFAIR1 innovations includes a non-invasive poultry measurement, data collection, and analysis system (Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta), Choice Feeds: Affordable and efficient floating fish feed for Nigerian fish farmers (Federal University of Technology, Akure), Nimtrack: Wireless network-based system for tracking and monitoring the movement of animals (Federal University of Agriculture, Akure).
Others are; Blue Bird Drone Technology: Drone equipped with innovative solutions for dispersing birds away from farms (Federal University, Birnin Kebbi), Harvest Guard: Cost-effective vegetable dryer utilizing air transfer technology to minimize energy consumption (Federal University of Technology, Owerri), Ogbonno Go: Well-packaged Ogbono flour with an extended shelf life and an accompanying Ogbono soup kit (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife), Bug Delight: Shelf-stable, protein-rich, ready-to-eat product using traditional edible insects to combat malnutrition (University of Ibadan).
Moreso innovations includes; Zobox: Machine designed to minimize hygiene challenges and expenses in Zobo production for SMEs (University of Nigeria, Nsukka), Digitized Flywheel Educational Device: Educational kit for hands-on Physics studies focusing on flywheels (Edo State University, Uzairue), Texzik: Advanced automation solution for textile drying process, improving cost efficiency for SMEs (Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka), amongst others.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of TETFAIR1, the executive secretary of TETFund, Arch. Sonny Echono said it was the first edition in the TETFAIR Series of four, two for Universities, one for Polytechnics and one for Colleges of Education.
He said the project is a testament to the Fund’s dedication to the advancement of research and development in Nigeria as well as the evidence of the boundless human capacity for innovation and relentless pursuit of knowledge in our Tertiary Institutions.
Echono said, “The advocacy for the institutionalization of Research and innovation in our tertiary education arose from the need to address the myriads of underdevelopment problems plaguing our country and the lack of capacity to tackle it.
“I must note that there have been several initiatives and development strategies proffered to improve our socio-economic environment and reduce unemployment, poverty and other underdevelopment indices at all levels, but the problems persist. And so.
“It was needful to compliment these efforts with a foundation in science, technology and innovation with a view to bridge the knowledge gaps in the generation and utilization of research to solve the problems associated with underdevelopment. taking into cognizance the role of Innovative and problem-solving research as a critical driver of development in contemporary society.
“TETFund, as the foremost interventionist agency in Nigeria’s Tertiary Education Sector has deepened its intervention in content- based programmes. The Fund is making conscious investments in support of research, innovation and development as it remains the most compelling strategy for accelerating sustainable growth.
“In our bid to promote the institutionalisation of R&D, we have sought effective support for impactful research and innovation through partnership between tertiary institutions/research institutes, industry and government as a national response towards technological revolution, human capital development and sustainable economic competitiveness.”
According to him, the TETFAIR programme is the outcome of a fruitful collaboration between TETFund and Innova Technology Hub, an organisation dedicated to the support and advancement of Innovation Start-up Incubation, Technology Transfer, Knowledge & Skill Impartation. Prototype Development, and Fabrication in Nigeria.
“TETFAIR is a year-long programme which provides a unique opportunity for our academics and researchers in Nigerian Universities to transform their Ideas into market-driven solutions. Including the development and fabrication of prototypes.
“Through the initiative, selected teams of researchers and academic staff with promising Ideas for innovative solutions in the programme’s areas of focus were supported via intensive in person and online frainings mentorship and provision of access to high-end technology/ specialized machinery to bring their ideas to fruition.
“The TETFAIR Programme strategically prioritises its areas of focus to support national aspiration as follows: agriculture and food technology, environment, energy and circular economy, health and accessibility, information communication technology, security, transportation, aviation and shipping streamlining/improving production process.
“Today, you will have the opportunity to witness firsthand some of the tangible impact of the Fund’s unwavering commitment to Research and Development.
“The teams have developed prototypes for application in agriculture and food technology ranging from a non-invasive, automated poultry measurement and data collection & analysis system, a wireless network-based system for tracking and monitoring small and higher animals to a drone equipped with Innovative solutions that utilize sound to herd birds away from farms in a specific direction.
“For education, a team designed and developed an Education Kit to be used as an experimental study ki for physics using the characteristics of the flywheel. Another feam developed an automation solution for the textile drying process, enhancing the cost efficiency of textile printing for small and medium businesses.
“For the oil and gas industry, a team developed an intelligent remote monitoring device to help oil and gas facility ownen carry out maintenance of the Cathodic Protection Systems on their pipelines,” Echono added.
He noted that besides a team that designed and developed a hearing aid that à self-programmable, affordable, and more suitable for the African market, was selected among the top 3 participants in the ARC Center for Digital Innovation Entrepreneurship Programme at the Sheba Hospital in israel, and they presented their innovation at an International medical conference Interestingly, all prototypes have been tested and are receiving positive feedback from potential Investors.
These, according to him are some of the reasons why it’s decided to showcase the remarkable strides achieved by scholars in their research and Innovation ecosystem as a pointer to demonstrate the transformative power of our collective efforts
Also speaking, the Honorable Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Bako Lalong congratulated TETFund for the remarkable accomplishments it has achieved over the years, saying that the relentless commitment to improving the infrastructure of Nigeria:s esteemed tertiary institutions, coupled with the consistent promotion of academic and innovative research through various capacity building initiatives, is truly commendable and worthy of praise.
“The Innovation Pitching Event, which we have gathered to commemorate today, serves as an exceptional platform for academics and researchers to showcase their groundbreaking ideas and transform them into tangible solutions.
“These solutions have the potential to address pressing societal challenges, create job opportunities, and propel our nation towards sustainable development. I am confident that the invaluable experiences gained through this event will empower our scholars to contribute significantly to their fields and foster meaningful engagement at both national and international levels,” he said.
In his goodwill message, the Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas said Technology development which encompasses concept design, prototyping, testing, refining and scaling up for practical applications has three broad processes of invention, innovation, and diffusion, which all together achieves the goals of product development.
According to him, “In streaming this project, there is no doubt that TETFund went into partnership with a bootcamp, Innov8 Hub, which by my fair assessment conforms with the mandate of the Fund under section 7 (e) of the TETFund Act.
“In 2016, there were global Industry concerns that partnering private technology bootcamps with federal financial aids could attract less reputable Organisations into the industry. But this concern may not relate to us, as the project is very healthy for Nigeria as an emerging marketplace. It is on this premise that I found as commendable and encouraging the collaboration between TETFund and Innov8Hub.
“It is also important to emphasize that bootcamps are intensive ways for acquiring specialised technological knowledge and skills, leading to product developments and venture creation. This in turn, boosts job opportunities and economic growth.
“The growing demand for digital profiles has obviously turned bootcamps into a trend and a competitive platform for specialised knowledge and skills in technology.
“For some years now, the technology landscape has witnessed unprecedented growth and innovations, leading to cloud computing and to the current emergence of artificial intelligence in many human preoccupations,” he added.
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