Abuja: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has partnered with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to establish and expand university-based innovation hubs throughout Nigeria. Sonny Echono, Executive Secretary of TETFund, announced this partnership during a meeting with a UNDP delegation at TETFund's headquarters in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Echono emphasized that the projects spearheaded by UNDP align closely with TETFund's current interventions. He expressed enthusiasm about strengthening this relationship, highlighting Nigeria's youthful and innovative population. Echono stressed the importance of providing the right environment, infrastructure, and platforms to enable young Nigerians to thrive.
Echono explained that TETFund is actively investing in over 60 innovation hubs across tertiary institutions, with plans to integrate them with UNDP-supported centers for greater impact. Beginning with 18 hubs, they aim to expand to 68 this year. The initiative includes collaboration with Israeli startups and partnerships with local industries for practical training.
The partnership will also focus on commercializing research, enhancing energy infrastructure on campuses, and developing technical skills. Echono mentioned the establishment of a national committee to commercialize research outputs and the construction of six regional laboratories across geopolitical zones. Additionally, efforts are being made to improve energy efficiency in at least nine universities this year.
Elsie Attafuah, UNDP's Resident Representative in Nigeria, commended TETFund's strategic direction and dedication to youth-driven innovation. She noted that the UNDP delegation's visit aligns with their support for innovation spaces in eight Nigerian universities. Attafuah emphasized the need to co-invest in ideas and address funding and access to capital for youth-led initiatives.
Attafuah further highlighted the significance of structural transformation through value-chain development and technological advancement. She pointed out Nigeria's mineral wealth, such as lithium in Nasarawa, and underscored the necessity of local value addition through technology. The partnership aims to link innovation to trade, jobs, and sustainable livelihoods, with a focus on areas like Artificial Intelligence. An initiative with the University of Lagos to establish Nigeria's first AI Core is part of this collaborative effort.