Israel has announced funding for the fifth edition of the Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers (iFAIR), reaffirming its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.

The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, announced the funding on Saturday in Abuja at the closing ceremony and innovation showcase of the fourth cohort of the iFAIR programme.

‎He said the fellowship reflected the growing innovation partnership between Nigeria and Israel and continued to empower young Nigerian innovators to transform ideas into viable businesses.

He stated, ‎”Today is a celebration of what is possible when Israel and Nigeria believe in each other. I am so proud to stand here today and announce that we have secured with our partners funding for iFAIR 5, and the fellowship will be launching in October.”

‎According to the ambassador, innovation is driven not only by technology but also by resilience, creativity and the ability to identify opportunities amid challenges.

‎‎”Innovation is not simply about technology. It’s about learning to see opportunities where others see obstacles.

‎‎”It’s about asking ‘why not’ instead of ‘why.’ It’s about resilience, creativity, partnership and determination to build something better,” he said.

Mr ‎Freeman said the fellowship was designed to help Nigerian innovators develop solutions tailored to local challenges rather than replicate foreign models.

‎‎”This programme has never been about bringing Israeli solutions to Nigeria. It’s been about helping brilliant Nigerian innovators develop Nigerian solutions to Nigerian challenges, supported by Israeli experience, mentorship and innovation,” he said.

‎‎He also highlighted the growing cooperation between Nigeria and Israel in technology, education, healthcare and water management, while commending the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and Innov8 Hub for sustaining the initiative.

‎‎The ambassador urged participants to remain committed to innovation beyond the fellowship.

He noted, ‎‎”The certificate you will receive soon is not your greatest achievement. Your greatest achievement was having the courage to take an idea and turn it into something real. Nigeria, Africa and the world need innovators like you.”

‎‎Earlier, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, said the iFAIR initiative was helping to bridge the gap between research and industry by promoting the commercialisation of research outputs and university inventions.

‎“The main problem we are solving is how to commercialise university research results and inventions, bridging the gap between academia, government and the productive industrial sector,” he said.

‎Mr ‎Echono said TETFund was establishing innovation centres in more than 60 tertiary institutions across the country to enable students and researchers transform ideas into commercially viable products.

‎”As I speak, TETFund is providing facilities and establishing innovation centres across over 60 tertiary institutions so that students, while still in school, can find solutions to global and national challenges,” he said.

‎‎Also speaking, the Head of Programmes and Ventures at Innov8 Hub, Tolulope Aina, said Nigeria had abundant innovative talents but required stronger systems to transform ideas into industries.

‎‎”Every nation has ideas, but only a few succeed in transforming them into industries and lasting prosperity. The difference lies in the strength of the ecosystem that turns innovation into real-world impact,” he said.

‎Mr ‎Aina said Innov8 Hub had supported over 3,000 researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs, while more than 120 professionals currently work within the organisation to strengthen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.

‎‎In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Engineers Without Borders Israel, Michal  Hashimshony, commended the graduating entrepreneurs for their ingenuity and described Innov8 Hub as an ecosystem capable of driving meaningful change across Africa.

Ms ‎‎Hashimshony also commended the role of women in Nigeria’s innovation landscape, describing the female innovators and leaders she met during her visit as exceptionally talented and a source of optimism.

‎iFAIR is a nine-month innovation and venture development programme jointly implemented by the Embassy of Israel in Nigeria, TETFund and Innov8 Hub.

‎‎The programme provides mentorship, technical support and investment opportunities to help researchers and early-stage entrepreneurs transform innovative ideas into sustainable businesses.

(NAN)