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In a groundbreaking initiative poised to energise Nigeria’s innovation landscape, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) is organising the 2024 National Research Fair.
The premier event, starting on November 17 at Eagle Square, Abuja, will highlight the nation’s most significant advancements in science and technology.
By bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs, and the general public, the fair aims to bridge the gap between academic research and practical application, showcasing technologies poised to impact industries and drive economic growth.
With free admission for all, the fair represents a pivotal opportunity to witness and engage with Nigeria’s top innovations.
Ahead of the event, the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, informed Nigerians that TETFund is organising the fair to allow participants who express interest to showcase their technologies at no cost, saying the fair is open to the general public free of charge.
He noted that extensive outreach and consultations are ongoing with institutions and organisations that can partner with TETFund to provide technical support to organisations, individuals, and entrepreneurs who successfully source technologies at the fair to establish enterprises or enhance their existing businesses.
According to him, TETFund is an intervention agency set up by the Federal Government to provide supplementary support to public tertiary institutions with the core objective of using funding and project management to rehabilitate, restore, and consolidate tertiary education in Nigeria.
“TETFund resources are specifically disbursed for the improvement of education in Federal and State tertiary education institutions, including the provision and maintenance of essential physical infrastructure for teaching and learning, instructional materials and equipment, research and publications, academic staff training and development, and other critical needs.”
The Minister also highlighted that, to ensure fairness, effectiveness, accountability, and transparency, TETFund has institutionalised a process for its research support mandate by establishing a National Research Fund Screening and Monitoring Committee (NRFS&MC) composed of distinguished scholars.
This committee, be said screens all Research and Development Concept Notes and Proposals, recommends support, monitors implementation, and provides comprehensive reports.
“Based on its support over the years, TETFund has noted immense improvements in the performance of universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education in Nigeria, especially in research and development.”
“The research outputs from the natural sciences, technology, innovation, social sciences, and arts are increasingly being recognized globally, leading to a significant increase in the number of professors, PhD graduates, and overall quality of teaching and research. TETFund also recognises the need to enhance the linkages between academic performance and industry to benefit the average Nigerian.”
In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President, aimed at rebooting the economy through job creation, wealth generation, and improving the general welfare of Nigerians, the Minister said TETFund is organising a strategic Research Fair.
The event, he noted will gather and showcase practical research results and technologies that can be manufactured or scaled, encouraging Nigerians to utilize these technologies to establish viable enterprises and enhance the economy.
To implement this, be said; “TETFund has established a Research Fair Sub-Committee under the NRFS&MC in July 2024, serving as the Local Organizing Committee (LOC). The LOC will take stock of research output technologies from universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, research institutes, and other sources, document them, and select candidate technologies for the fair, focusing on those with immediate economic impact.
“The LOC’s responsibilities include clustering selected technologies into sectors to ease exhibition and attract potential investors, ensuring effective planning and execution of the event, collaborating with relevant stakeholders for success, and providing information to ensure high participation and impact.”
The Minister announced that the Call Circular inviting institutions and individuals to submit their technologies for the fair has been finalized and will be released today. The design and testing of the technology submission instrument are complete, and Eagle Square has been secured to host the 5-day Research Fair starting on November 17, 2024.
“Intense consultations are ongoing with institutions and organisations to support TETFund in encouraging participation and addressing issues related to Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and technology licensing. Consultations also aim to secure funding for enterprises and enhance the performance of existing businesses,” he added.
The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arch. Sonny Echono, expressed profound appreciation to the Minister for supporting the fair.
He said, “From today, the media and the Nigerian public will see efforts harmonizing to harness all potential and achievements in innovation and creativity. This fair is open to all Nigerians, including research institutes, private inventors, and digital innovators.
“If you have contributions that could lead to job creation and the development of products and services that improve lives, come and showcase.”
Echono further commended the Ministry for its sustained support and commitment to addressing current and future challenges.
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