The Nigerian government has described the TETFund National Research Fair as a pivotal initiative to drive home-grown solutions to the country’s pressing national challenges.
Declaring the event open on Monday in Abuja, the Minister of Education,
Dr. Morufu Olatunji Alausa, said the fair’s alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on harnessing local research to drive economic growth, create jobs, and foster industrialisation.
Dr. Alausa emphasised that the fair’s core mission is to transform Nigeria from a consumer economy to a producer economy. “This fair is about identifying, promoting, and commercializing home-grown technologies that will address critical national needs and help strengthen our economy.”
The event showcases research and innovations from Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and local inventors.
It highlights the growing role of academic institutions in creating practical, scalable solutions in key sectors such as food security, healthcare, and infrastructure. “Research and innovation are the key drivers of development,” Alausa added. “By applying these innovations, we can reduce our dependency on imports and foster a self-reliant economy.”
Alausa also stressed that the future of Nigeria lies in harnessing its own resources and home-grown solutions for national development. “We must nurture and apply these innovations to create a sustainable future for our country.”
TETFund’s Chairman, Aminu Bello Masari, reinforced this vision, describing the fair as more than just an exhibition. “This is a platform to critically assess and promote products that can be integrated into the Nigerian market,” Masari said. “Our goal is to integrate research outputs into the industrial sector to foster economic growth.”
The fair, which runs for five days, also features various products developed through TETFund’s extensive funding of research initiatives since 2011.
Arc. Sonny Echono, TETFund’s Executive Secretary, highlighted the event’s role in translating academic research into market-ready technologies. “This fair is an opportunity to showcase research that can create jobs, generate wealth, and enhance the Nigerian economy,” he added.
