The executive secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, has unveiled plans to expand participation in the 2026 national research fair and exhibition to promote the commercialisation of research findings.

‎Mr Echono, who disclosed this on Friday in Abuja while inaugurating the committee for the 2026 national research fair and exhibition, said it would also strengthen collaboration among researchers, industry and investors.

‎He said the initiative was aimed at transforming research findings into marketable products that would create jobs, support local manufacturing and contribute to national development.

‎According to him, the decision to broaden the committee followed the success of the maiden edition held in November 2024, which showcased innovations from tertiary institutions and connected researchers with industry players.

‎He said the reconstituted committee now includes representatives of the organised private sector, innovation hubs, relevant ministries, the Nigerian military, the Association of Nigerian Inventors and community inventors, among others.

‎”The goal is to source, collate and showcase proven research outputs and technologies, while creating partnerships among researchers, investors, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to promote commercialisation,” he said.

‎Mr Echono said the committee would also develop a database of research outputs from universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and research institutes across the country and select innovations for exhibition later this year.

‎He added that the event would feature an international conference to attract experts from Africa and other parts of the world.

The TETFund boss said the exhibition would be open to all Nigerian inventors, innovators and researchers, including those outside institutions benefiting from the fund.

“We will advertise for entries, and any Nigerian who has developed a product, service or invention is encouraged to participate,” he said.

‎Mr Echono urged participants from the maiden edition to return with improved innovations and new products, expressing optimism that the exhibition would become Nigeria’s leading platform for showcasing research and innovation.

‎He added that Nigeria had abundant intellectual resources capable of driving economic growth if properly harnessed through research, technology and innovation.

Responding, the chairman of the committee, Umar Bindir, commended Mr Echono for expanding the committee’s membership to include researchers, inventors, industry leaders and policymakers.

‎Mr Bindir pledged the committee’s commitment to ensuring a successful exhibition and achieving its mandate of linking research with industry.

Earlier, TETFund’s director of research and development and centres of excellence, Suleiman Zwingina, said the fund had supported several research projects that produced promising technologies and prototypes requiring commercialisation.

Mr Zwingina said the research fair and exhibition was established to provide a platform for showcasing research outputs, attracting industry partners and transforming innovations into products and services that address Nigeria’s development needs. 

(NAN)