The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has partnered with Nigeria’s Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to establish and scale university-based innovation hubs across the country.
During a high-level meeting in Abuja on Monday, UNDP’s Resident Representative, Ms Elsie Attafuah, described the collaboration as a strategic move to empower Nigeria’s youth and drive technological advancement.
“We are not just here to build hubs. We are here to co-invest in Nigeria’s future,” Attafuah said. “By September, we will have eight hubs operational. But the vision goes beyond that — it’s about de-risking innovation, improving access to capital, and linking technology to jobs, trade, and livelihoods.”
TETFund Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono, reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to innovation, revealing that over 60 hubs are already in development across tertiary institutions.
“We began with 18, and this year, we’re scaling up to 68. Nigeria’s youth are brilliant and inventive — our duty is to equip them with the tools, infrastructure, and environment to succeed,” Echono stated.
He noted that the initiative also aligns with structural reforms, renewable energy adoption, and commercialization of research. “We’re investing in energy efficiency in nine universities, building six regional labs, and integrating practical skills from local industry hubs like Kaduna’s Panteka and Lagos’ Computer Village,” he added.
Attafuah praised TETFund’s strategic direction, noting that the funding behind these hubs is largely from Nigeria’s own federal allocations channeled through the UN system. “This is Nigeria’s money working for Nigerians. We want shared governance and co-investment to scale results,” she said.
The partnership also includes Nigeria’s first AI Core at the University of Lagos — a milestone toward preparing young Nigerians for a tech-driven global economy.
Gom Mirian-Report
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