A group of Nigerian researchers, supported by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), has unveiled new inventions poised for market release in sectors such as clean energy, agriculture, water sanitation, and infrastructure.
The products were showcased during the Demo Day and Closing Ceremony of the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) held in Abuja. The event marked the end of a 12-month programme aimed at turning research ideas into usable and sellable products. TETFund Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono, described the innovations as proof that Nigerian researchers can develop real-world solutions that meet national needs. “This is more than just showing off prototypes. It is about turning research into jobs, solutions, and development,” he said. With support from Canada’s IDRC and the UK’s FCDO, TETFund secured a $250,000 grant under its Research for Impact (R4i) programme in 2023. The grant supported four research teams involving 18 researchers from Nigerian institutions.
Among the innovations unveiled were AirVolt – a clean energy solution, I-GEL – an agricultural biotech product to improve food security and Jolly Fryer – a new technology for better and safer garri processing. The SGCI programme is part of a larger initiative that supports science and research in 17 African countries. It was implemented in Nigeria by TETFund, the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) in Kenya, and Innov8 Hub.
Francis Sani, who represented the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, praised the initiative and linked it to other government programmes, such as the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) project, which aims to create 500,000 digital jobs. The organisers agreed that these projects show how African knowledge can provide African solutions, and TETFund pledged continued support for innovation and local research.
