Key players in Nigeria's education sector have widely commended the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for its recent Demonstration Day, a pivotal event for the TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research (TETFAIR) and the Academic Solutions Incubation Programme (ASIP). The event, held in strategic partnership with Innov8 Hub, marked a significant shift from traditional academic presentations to a practical exhibition of research with direct societal and economic impact.
A Practical Shift from Theory to Tangible Solutions
Observers noted that the event represented a refreshing departure from conventional conferences, focusing squarely on how scholarly work can be molded into real-world solutions. There is a growing consensus that the initiative underscores a committed effort to reposition tertiary education as a genuine engine for innovation, moving beyond its traditional role as a repository of theoretical knowledge.
Education experts specifically applauded the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, for championing this focus on applicability. By doing so, a powerful message has been sent to researchers and institutions across Nigeria: the value of academic work must extend past journal publications and classroom walls to deliver tangible value to communities and industries.
From Idea to Prototype: Showcasing Nigerian Ingenuity
The programmes meticulously guided 60 scholars from 26 tertiary institutions through the entire innovation lifecycle. TETFAIR was instrumental in helping participants transform abstract research concepts into functional early-stage prototypes through intensive training, mentorship, and collaboration.
The Demonstration Day featured a pitch session where teams unveiled their working prototypes, highlighting Nigeria's diverse innovative potential:
- The Polytechnic of Ibadan presented Funfit, a gamified fitness device that generates electricity during exercise.
- Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri, showcased Rampokids, a nutritious cereal for children made from locally sourced ingredients.
- Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, introduced Orufe, a cassava shredding machine.
- Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, displayed Solarmilkpro, a solar-powered milking machine.
- Modibo Adama University presented Flo-Vend, an automated, web-enabled menstrual materials vending machine.
- Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, unveiled Tripleshield Agro, an eco-innovative pesticide solution.
Life-Changing Impact on Scholars and Research Culture
Participants hailed the programme as a transformative experience that reshaped their approach to research. Engr. Abubakar Yusuf of the Federal College of Education, Katsina, stated it was a life-changing event that deepened his commitment to agricultural innovation, teaching him the importance of scalable, practical solutions.
Paul Ohwofadjeke from the University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Imo State, said TETFAIR significantly advanced his professional growth, enabling him to translate theory into a viable market solution and enhancing his problem-solving abilities through multidisciplinary collaboration.
Similarly, Dr. Falmata Abadam of Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri, described her participation as empowering and enlightening. She noted that the programme's market-driven framework challenged her to rethink conventional research, focusing on outcomes that directly improve lives, particularly in nutrition and food security. She added that the experience strengthened her resolve to mentor younger scholars towards problem-solving research aligned with national goals.
Other scholars, including Omosebi Ayeyomi, Isa Onipe, Dr. Mbah Chidozie, and Engr. Chibuike Ononogbo, collectively praised TETFund for creating a platform that deliberately nurtures innovation and entrepreneurship within Nigeria's tertiary education system, signaling a new chapter for research and development in the country.
