ABUJA, Nigeria — The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) on Thursday celebrated a breakthrough in Nigeria’s innovation drive as eleven research teams from tertiary institutions nationwide unveiled novel prototypes at the closing ceremony and Demo Day of the TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research (TETFAIR).
Speaking at the event, TETFund Executive Secretary, Arch. Sonny Echono said the milestone underscored the Fund’s growing impact in supporting research and development across the country. He noted that the initiative, delivered in partnership with the Academic Solutions Incubation Programme (ASIP), Science Granting Council Initiative (SGCI) and INCUB8 Programmes, reflects a renewed push to translate research into practical solutions.
“Your presence demonstrates support for the Fund’s unwavering commitment to advancing research and development in Nigeria,” Echono said. “Over the years, various initiatives, policies, and strategies have been introduced to reduce unemployment, alleviate poverty, and improve our socio-economic well-being. Yet many challenges persist. It has, therefore, become imperative to adopt a more sustainable approach rooted in science, technology, and innovation.”
He explained that the journey began with the launch of the Research for Impact (R4i) and Transformative Innovation Workshop (TIW) in 2021, expanded to TETFAIR in 2022, and later incorporated ASIP, SGCI-funded projects and INCUB8 in 2024. These programmes, he said, provide structured pathways for commercialising research through intensive training and incubation cycles.
During the pitch session, the eleven teams showcased solutions spanning agriculture, energy, ICT, health, security, and manufacturing. Notable prototypes included Funfit, a fitness-powered electricity generator; Rampokids, a nutritious cereal for young children; Solarmilkpro, a solar-powered milking machine; Flo-Vend, an automated menstrual materials dispenser; and Tripleshield Agro, an eco-friendly pesticide.
The event reaffirmed TETFund’s commitment to driving innovation aligned with national priorities.
Plateau News Online 