TETFund, Israel Deepen Innovation Drive, Back Nigerian Startups

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the Embassy of Israel in Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem by supporting research commercialisation, entrepreneurship and the growth of early-stage startups.

Speaking at the closing ceremony and Innovation Showcase of the fourth cohort of the Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers (iFAIR) in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, said the initiative is helping to bridge the gap between academic research and industry by promoting the commercialisation of university inventions.

“The main problem we are solving is how to commercialise university research results and inventions, bridging the gap between academia, government and the productive industrial sector,” Echono said.

He disclosed that TETFund is establishing innovation centres in more than 60 tertiary institutions across the country to enable students and researchers to convert innovative ideas into commercially viable products.

“As I speak, TETFund is providing facilities and establishing innovation centres across over 60 tertiary institutions so that students, while still in school, can find solutions to global and national challenges,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, expressed confidence in the future of Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem and announced funding for the fifth edition of the iFAIR programme.

He described the initiative as a reflection of the growing innovation partnership between Nigeria and Israel and confirmed that the next cohort would begin in October 2026.

“Today is a celebration of what is possible when Israel and Nigeria believe in each other. I am so proud to stand here today and announce that we have secured with our partners funding for iFAIR 5, and iFAIR 5 will be launching in October 2026,” Freeman said.

According to him, innovation is driven not only by technology but also by resilience, creativity and the ability to identify opportunities in difficult circumstances.

“Innovation is not simply about technology. It’s about learning to see opportunities where others see obstacles. It’s about asking ‘why not?’ instead of ‘why?’. It’s about resilience, creativity, partnership, and determination to build something better,” he said.

Freeman explained that the fellowship was designed to empower Nigerian innovators to develop home-grown solutions to local challenges rather than replicate foreign models.

“This programme has never been about bringing Israeli solutions to Nigeria. It’s been about helping brilliant Nigerian innovators develop Nigerian solutions to Nigerian challenges supported by Israeli experience, mentorship and innovation,” he said.

Reflecting on his diplomatic mission, the ambassador noted that Nigeria and Israel had strengthened cooperation in technology, education, healthcare and water management. He also thanked TETFund and Innov8 Hub for sustaining the initiative.

He urged the graduating fellows to remain committed to innovation beyond the fellowship.

“The certificate you will receive soon is not your greatest achievement. Your greatest achievement was having the courage to take an idea and turn it into something real. Nigeria needs innovators like you. Africa needs innovators like you. The world needs innovators like you,” he said.

The Head of Programmes and Ventures at Innov8 Hub, Tolulope Aina, said Nigeria possesses abundant innovative talent but needs stronger systems capable of transforming ideas into industries.

“Every nation has ideas, but only a few succeed in transforming them into industries and lasting prosperity. The difference lies in the strength of the ecosystem that turns innovation into real-world impact,” Aina said.

He revealed that Innov8 Hub has supported more than 3,000 researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs, while over 120 professionals now work within the organisation to strengthen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.

The Chief Executive Officer of Engineers Without Borders Israel, Michal Dolav Hashimshony, commended the ingenuity of the graduating entrepreneurs, describing Innov8 Hub as an ecosystem capable of driving meaningful change across Africa.

“You are inspiring. You make us feel optimistic because we believe technology must always be human-centred. Engineering has the power to change lives and create real impact,” she said.

Hashimshony also praised the growing role of women in Nigeria’s innovation landscape, describing the female innovators and leaders she met during her visit as “extremely talented” and a source of optimism.

The iFAIR programme is a partnership between the Embassy of Israel in Nigeria, TETFund and Innov8 Hub. It provides mentorship, technical support and investment opportunities to help researchers and entrepreneurs transform innovative ideas into sustainable businesses.

The nine-month innovation and venture development programme supports early-stage startups and entrepreneurs by helping them turn ideas into market-ready products through prototype development, technical refinement, fabrication, testing and business support.