Connect with us

News

18 Nigerian Lecturers Get $250,000 Grants to Develop Prototypes into Commercially Viable Products

Published

on

18 Nigerian Lecturers Get $250,000 Grants to Develop Prototypes into Commercially Viable Products

By: Michael Mike

Eighteen lecturers from Nigerian higher institutions of learning have gone through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund)’s Research for Impact Initiative (R4I) have received a grant of $250,000 from the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) to develop four prototype projects into commercially viable products

The 18 lecturers, who were distributed into four groups were assisted at Innov8, an innovation hub in Abuja to come out with four prototypes; Development of Technology to Mitigate the Effect of Drought in Desert Areas of Northern Nigeria, Development of Automated Garri Frying Technology (Jollyfryer), Creation of Biosensor Device for Water Purification Using Solar Energy, AirVolt: An Affordable Access to Electricity with Vertical Axis Wind Turbines.

The SGCI is a multi-funded initiative aimed at strengthening the capacities of 17 Science Granting Councils (SGCs) in sub-Saharan African, with the councils contributing significantly towards strengthening national research and innovation ecosystems in their respective councils.

The Management of Tertiary Education Trust Fund, representatives of the Science Granting Council Initiative, representatives of the Association of African Universities, members of the academia, partners in research and development, esteemed guests, I welcome you all to Innov8 Hub.

Speaking at the SGCI Launch Event in Abuja on Monday, the Deputy General Manager, Innov8 Hub, Mr. Deji Ige said the landmark event of today marks the beginning of new possibilities. “It is a testament to the power of foresight, the power of commitment, and collaboration. On the mandate of TETFUND, a journey began about three years ago called the Research for Impact- R4i initiative, later, the TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research- TETFAIR. These two initiatives have tremendously instigated a paradigm shift in the Nigerian academia, where lecturers are now researching for solution, innovation, venture creation and impact, as against the previous pattern of researching just for the sake of publication and promotion.

“As the technical partner and collaborator to TETFUND on the implementation of R4i and TETFAIR, Innov8 Hub is delighted and grateful for leadership and commitment of TETFund to these collaborative initiatives that are now yielding fruits of Human Capital Development, R & D Advancement, Home-Grown Solution, Economic Growth and National Development. One of such fruits is the reason we are here today. It may interest you to know that 18 participants (Grouped into 4 Teams), in the TETFund Research for Impact- R4i programme were selected as recipients of R&D grant from the Science Granting Councils Initiative.

“These 18 members of the Nigerian academia will use the grant to advance their innovations already developed at Innov8 hub during their R4i programme. The beneficiaries, from various tertiary institutions across Nigeria were selected after critical assessment of their projects developed at R4i. This success story would not have been possible without TETFund, and the paradigm shifting collaboration with Innov8 Hub; through which Nigerian academics are now translating their ideas into innovations, solutions and prototypes, worthy of advancement to the next level of Minimum Viable Product.”

Ige added that: “By championing the current positive change in the landscape and output of R&D efforts in Nigeria, it is evident that TETFund is more than an agency of government, but a light in the tunnel of the academia, a lamp unto the path of Nigerians, and a champion of national development; while Innov8 Hub is the oil that fuels the lamp.”

On his part, the director of research and development, TETFund, Dr. Saliba Bakare said, though Nigeria joined the SGCI in 2020—five years after the program’s inception—the impact of this collaboration is poised to be transformative.

According to Bakare, the $250,000 grant will support four Nigerian research teams, each working on projects with the potential to drive significant change.

He noted that among these initiatives are advancements in the processing of garri, a staple food, and pioneering efforts in renewable energy, amongst others.

He said the funding aims to bridge the gap between research and practical application, fostering innovations that can be commercialized.

He explained that: “The essence is to help them transform their research findings into commercializable goods and services in this country.”

He further explained that a critical component of the grant is its focus on helping research teams develop their innovations into market-ready prototypes.

This, he said involves not only technical development but also pitching these products to industries, ensuring that the research translates into tangible economic benefits.

“Four teams are going to use this money to develop their research into prototypes and pitch them with industries so that there will be take-off of the product coming out from the research,” he noted.

18 Nigerian Lecturers Get $250,000 Grants to Develop Prototypes into Commercially Viable Products

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Nine PAP Foreign Scholarship Beneficiaries Bag Master’s Degrees From UK Varsities

Published

on

Nine PAP Foreign Scholarship Beneficiaries Bag Master’s Degrees From UK Varsities

•••771 to Graduate in Nigeria in 2025

•••Otuaro Hails Scholars’ Performances

By: Michael Mike

Nine students awarded foreign post-graduate scholarships by the Presidential Amnesty Programme have graduated from their master’s degree rprogrammes in universities in the United Kingdom.

The successful scholars are the first graduates in the offshore post-graduate scholarship deployment to UK institutions by the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, for the 2024-2025 academic session.

They graduated from the Anglia Ruskin University, University of Dundee and The University of Law with master’s degrees in cyber security, data science and engineering, law, construction and civil engineering management, project management, and ICT.

Also, 711 undergraduate and post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries are expected to graduate from universities within Nigeria this year.

The PAP, on Wednesday, 3 December, 2025, organised a graduation reception for the scholars in London.

Otuaro has congratulated them on their successful graduation, stressing that they completed their programmes in record time which shows the seriousness they had put into their studies.

He said they have justified the Federal Government’s investment in their education with their successful graduation, and urged other beneficiaries not to be distracted in their academic pursuits.

“We congratulate these scholars on their successful graduation. It shows that they took their studies seriously. That is what we demand of every scholarship beneficiary, whether at the undergraduate or post-graduate level”, Otuaro said.

He reiterated his unwavering commitment to expanding the scholarship scheme to create more opportunities for indigent students of Niger Delta extraction to access higher education with a view to closing the human capital development gap in the region.

Otuaro said it was for this reason he deployed 3800 beneficiaries in-country in the 2024-2025 academic year, and increased the figure to 3900 in the 2025-2026 academic session with 200 for foreign scholarships.

Otuaro has so far deployed 7700 students for the PAP scholarship scheme within Nigeria in less than two years.

Within this period, also, he has also deployed 162 students from the region for post-graduate programmes in targeted disciplines in the UK universities.

According to him, this is in conformity with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu for the Niger Delta, who has given unprecedented support to the PAP because of his sincere love for the area.

The PAP boss said, “Our decision aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for the Niger Delta. We will continue to create more higher educational opportunities for students from indigent backgrounds in our region.

“We are also deepening the implementation of the programme’s mandate in informal education and other areas for the sustainable peace and socio-economic advancement of the region.”

Nine PAP Foreign Scholarship Beneficiaries Bag Master’s Degrees From UK Varsities

Continue Reading

News

Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited Established for Realization of Ondo Project

Published

on

Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited Established for Realization of Ondo Project

By: Michael Mike

Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited has been incorporated to seamlessly allowed for the Refinery and Free Trade Zone in Ondo State.

A press statement on Thursday read that: “In furtherance of our commitment to the execution of these two major projects – Refinery and Free Trade Zone in conjunction with the Ondo State Government, the joint partners have taken another giant step by incorporating a joint company, namely – SUNSHINE JOINT VENTURE INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED – as the vehicle to be used in executing these projects. A move that further reinforces the sincerity of purpose and total commitment of the funding partners to move ahead together as a united front.

According to the release by Wale Adekola on behalf of the JV, the Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limitedwill, going forward serve as the vehicle to work with the Ondo State Government through the Ondo State Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA) in the implementation of the executed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).

The statement added that: “In moving the projects forward for implementation, the JV team met in Dubai to finalize the funding modalities and put in place structures and plans for the commencement of activities for ground breaking and community engagements. These initial activities are aimed at complementing the 50th Anniversary of the creation of Ondo State and the one year anniversary of the election of the Executive Governor of the Sunshine State, His Excellency, Chief Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa CFR.

At the Dubai meeting were key officers of the JV Company, including: Messrs SALEHI FARHAD; ZAHERI NAVID; EGHBAL KORDJAMSHIDI; SAHEED ZAHERI; DR. STEPHEN DIKE; HENRY OWONKA AND MRS. NAMVAR MARYAM.
 
The statement further informed that, plans have been concluded to mobilize the relevant contractors working with the locals and host communities to put up structures that will host the information center, architectural models to showcase the projects on offer and facilities that will serve the team. All these are being planned with ONDIPA to execute the relocation and accommodation of the host communities that are likely to be affected by the projects and create a seamless transition that will engender peaceful co-existence and harmonious relationship with our host communities.

The JV company further reiterated its commitment to work with Ondo State Government (through ONDIPA) to change the infrastructural landscape of the Sunshine State and for mutual benefits.

Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited Established for Realization of Ondo Project

Continue Reading

Crime

Edo: Seven suspected bandits arrested along Benin-Agbor Road

Published

on

Edo: Seven suspected bandits arrested along Benin-Agbor Road

By: Zagazola Makama

Seven suspected bandits were arrested along the Benin–Agbor Road in Edo State during stop-and-search operations, security sources confirmed.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects, all Fulani youths, were intercepted after being offloaded from a truck at about 1800 hours on 2 December 2025. A search revealed pictures of assault rifles, including AK-47s, on their mobile phones.

Upon interrogation, the suspects claimed to have travelled from Adamawa State. Investigations are ongoing for the possible recovery of actual firearms and to determine their involvement in criminal activities.

Security agencies have urged members of the public to report any suspicious movements to help prevent criminal acts in the area.

Edo: Seven suspected bandits arrested along Benin-Agbor Road

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights