Nigeria can create more jobs and strengthen its economy by turning research into market-ready products and services, according to TETFund Executive Secretary Sonny Echono.
Echono said Nigerian universities and researchers continue to produce valuable innovations. However, he stressed that these discoveries must move beyond laboratories and become businesses that drive economic growth.
TETFund is expanding the 2026 National Research Fair and Exhibition to bring together researchers, investors, inventors and entrepreneurs who can help commercialise Nigerian innovations.
Speaking in Abuja while inaugurating the Committee for the 2026 National Research Fair and Exhibition, Echono said Nigeria possesses enormous intellectual resources that must be transformed into products and services capable of addressing the country’s developmental challenges.
The agency said the first research fair held in 2024 led to partnerships and showcased several market-ready innovations, encouraging collaboration between researchers and industry.
To improve participation, TETFund has expanded the exhibition’s planning committee to include innovation hubs, private sector representatives, investors, government ministries, the military and independent inventors.
The Fund also plans to create a national database of research outputs from universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and research institutes. The database will help connect innovative ideas with investors and manufacturers.
The 2026 exhibition will also be open to all Nigerians with innovative products or inventions, not only institutions supported by TETFund. This will give more innovators the opportunity to showcase their work and attract funding.
Commercialising research can create jobs, boost local production, encourage investment and help build a stronger, innovation-driven Nigerian economy.
