By Fortune Abang

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and Innov8 Hub, an NGO, say they will boost local innovations with commercial potential through the maiden National Research Fair (NRF) and “TETFAIR” cohorts in Nigeria.

Innov8 Hub provides technical and business support for the effective implementation of TETFAIR and the Research for Impact initiative by TETFund to promote local technologies and trade of scalable prototypes.

The duo disclosed this in a statement by Oche Anejo, Innov8 Hub’s Head of Creative Media, on Friday in Abuja ahead of the maiden TETFund NRF-Exhibition scheduled for Nov. 17 to Nov. 21.

“TETFAIR featured 28 exhibitions of innovative prototypes developed by members of the Nigerian Academia in collaboration with technical and business experts.

“An additional 12 prototypes from other Innov8 Hub and TETFund collaborative projects were showcased, representing a wide range of local innovations with commercial potential.

“This event highlights Innov8 Hub’s commitment to transforming research into market-ready solutions; providing a comprehensive display of functional prototypes aimed at attracting investment and sparking entrepreneurship.

“NRF proved TETFund and Innov8 Hub can bolster innovation through the showcase of 28 participants from the 2nd, 3rd and 4th cohorts of TETFAIR.”

Anejo commended the TETFAIR graduands who embarked on a transformative one-year journey with Innov8 Hub and refined their research into practical, market-ready products and prototypes.

“TETFAIR marked the successful patenting of some innovative prototypes and signaled a new era of research-driven development in Nigeria.

“The NRF/exhibition will further advance research, innovation and economic growth in Nigeria, as an annual event to create a platform for researchers, investors, manufacturers, policymakers and entrepreneurs to exhibit groundbreaking research and innovations.

“It is also to encourage partnerships that promote national development through homegrown solutions, reduce Nigeria’s dependency on foreign technology, stimulate job creation and drive wealth generation.

“It will feature innovations from universities, research institutes and colleges of education, alongside contributions from informal sectors, including independent creative and artisans, and promote exchange of ideas and innovations,” Anejo said. (NAN) (www.nannews.com)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo