TETFund: Inspiring Tales Of R4i Participants

At the heart of every research workshop lies a tapestry of experiences, each thread woven with passion, perseverance, and the pursuit of knowledge.

As participants gather to share their insights and discoveries at the Research for Impact Initiative (R4i), a symphony of inspiration unfolds, offering a glimpse into the transformative power of collaborative inquiry and innovation.

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) initiated the Research for Impact Initiative, in collaboration with Innov8 Hub to equip members of Nigerian academia from various public higher institutions.

LEADERSHIP therefore, takes a look at the inspiring stories of some participants at the Research For Impact Initiative.

 My R4i Experience by Engr. Abba Bashir Muhammed

R4i is the greatest collaboration I have ever seen or being involved with in my academic pursuit. This capacity-building initiative aims to reorient the Nigerian academia towards carrying out value-added research that will solve societal problems directly and practically by transforming research findings from paper work into innovative and finished products.

The programme has expanded my reasoning horizon towards research and development. My 10 days stay at Innov8 Hub will remain one of the most memorable experiences in my academic career.

This is an experience that leaves a lasting impression in my academic life. The knowledge gained and chain of relationships and networks built at the program remodeled my understanding of research and development; as well as social relationships.

The Research for Impact initiative has greatly benefited both my career development as a Mechanical Engineer and my life as a lecturer. The training was revolutionary, impactful, educational, enlightening, inventive, innovative and fascinating. It has taught me something new about the essence of research.

The knowledge gained at Innov8 Hub under the R4i program has opened a door to innovation and career development. It has also taught me how to approach research from needs, demand and problem-solving.

Throughout the R4i program, I especially enjoyed my interactions with all the staff members of Innov8 Hub, because of their unwavering dedication to their jobs. All of the facilitators and staff members showed a high degree of tolerance, hospitality, experience, love, care and expertise. They also exhibited excellent, highly effective, and superb time management skills. The quality of their deliverables, especially the impactful sessions, as well as the prototype development, were excellent and motivating.

I firmly acknowledge that even before returning to my institution, I have begun applying the knowledge I had gained about innovation and interpersonal relationships with my students and co-workers. Furthermore, I’ll return home and improve on my earlier research to obtain patents, look for collaboration opportunities with other professionals, and generate income.

My R4i Experience by Chinwendu Deborah (University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

My experience at Innov8 Hub is the most fantastic New Year’s gift I have ever had. The programme exemplifies a dream come true for me as an adventurous and young creative educator with a passion to become an astute scholar, with nation-building in mind. For over a decade, I have observed the use of several styles and pedagogies in classroom learning, but I have never witnessed any such pattern as is demonstrated here at Innov8 Hub.

The R4i initiative beats my imagination, as it turned out to be greater than what I ever thought. Right from arrival, through the entrance, to the work stations and on to the galleries, I felt an aura of inexplicable uniqueness and excellence as we were systematically led through each phase of the training.

The structure at Innov8 Hub is a magnificent sight to behold, not just in mere imagination but in reality, which is evidence that we have more than what it takes to compete with international standards.

Innov8 Hub is a perfect picture of the ideal work environment. Its beautiful combination of colors exudes professionalism and confidence, mixed with dignity and royalty spiced up with modesty and majesty, graced with wealth and completeness, exemplifying an outstanding picture of its vision.

The experts comprise a passionate crop of dedicated young minds, exuding strength and professionalism in every move. I have seen in this workforce, a matchless company of vibrant soldiers, unified, and in one voice chanting out loud a single message in their every action: ‘Nigeria can be great again’.

The facilitators’ bright exhibition of intellectualism, alongside a graceful style of content delivery, showcased preparedness and rigor as they insightfully connected every single dot with the aim of leaving no stone unturned.

They are a powerful blend of diversified educators with shrewd business acumen and an elegant display of ingenuity. Within the first week of participation, I sensed an inner release within my spirit and an upsurge of strength that liberated me from the shackles of obscurity and plunged me into the victorious realms of self-actualization. This kept me in awe of what the second week held ahead.

I consider that within the Innov8 Hub lies the solution to Nigeria’s greatest problems. Its strategy of assembling the talented, vibrant, and young Nigerian population with a focus on capacity-development, through harnessing their underlying potentials, is the sure way forward to Nigeria’s rebirth.

The R4i initiative has challenged me to advance beyond pure research to applied and practical research. I have now been empowered to move this same innovation to the next phases (from paper to product), culminating in its commercialization.

This would be my own way of practically impacting lives and improving the welfare of people in society, beyond the walls of the classroom. With these exposures that I have received and the insights that I have garnered, I am prepared to go back and take up new challenges in my career, and I visualize success at every phase.

 Prof. Ayobola Monninuola Sakpere

When I became the much awaited ‘professor’, like other milestones, there were no loud drums, no feelings of ‘I have arrived”. I felt I had accomplished something but knew that it was not yet ready. It was just another milestone. I wanted more, to make an impact and leave a legacy. By this time, the economic situation in the country had changed and as a professor, my take home pay could not take me home. I needed an additional source of income.

I started thinking of business. What can I do? Several things crossed my mind. I knew I needed to solve a problem. But, which problem? Can buying and selling be the answer? I didn’t think so even though I am currently engaged in it one way or the other. Then it occurred to me that I needed help.

I attended a goal-scoring masterclass and applied for the Savvy fellowship – a programme that equips entrepreneurs. About the same time, I received a nomination for the Research for Impact initiative and I am grateful to God and my institution, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile- Ife, for nominating me for this life-changing experience.

On arrival at Innov8 Hub, I was wowed by the ambience and aesthetics. The organization and timeliness; the hospitality and welcome. Dr Obichi Obiajunwa started out beautifully and I learnt that – Innovation is different from invention. I need to solve the problems that matter, not just any problem. I need to be able to feel the pain of the people whose problems I want to solve, and to fall in love with the problem.

Then comes Engr. Betty Ugona, letting us know that innovation is emotional because it is all about people- its people centric. She encouraged us to use the ‘Triple H-Model’ – Harnessing Head (Vision), Heart (Passion) and Hands (Action). I need to be emotionally intelligent if I want to be a master of research and innovation.

Mr. Frank Anwana showed us how organizations create and deliver value to customers, answering the “What” and the “How” questions and the need for continuous creativity. Mr. Precious Nizor Ogbezuode put us through the prototype development process, letting us know the importance of passing across information with diagrams.

At R4i, we were also taught the art of overcoming the fear of public speaking by Mr. Oche Anejo. This fear is real and I am a living witness; a work in progress in this regard. Surprisingly, I was picked to pitch for my team, something that could not have happened a few years ago as I would have been paralyzed by fear. Everything I have learnt cannot be documented in this short piece but suffice it to say that it has been both eye opening and very impactful.