Nigeria must do more than produce research findings. TETFund says turning research into commercial products will create jobs and strengthen the economy.
ABUJA, FCT — Sonny Echono, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), has called on Nigeria to commercialise research findings to drive job creation, boost local manufacturing and support economic growth. He made the appeal while speaking on the need to connect academic research with industry, according to a statement released by the agency.
According to Echono, Nigerian universities and research institutions continue to produce valuable innovations, but many of the findings fail to reach the market where they can benefit businesses and consumers. He said stronger collaboration between researchers, government agencies and the private sector would help transform research into products and services that contribute to national development.
Echono explained that commercialising research would encourage innovation, attract investment and create employment opportunities for young Nigerians. He also said the process would reduce the country’s dependence on imported products by promoting locally developed technologies and manufacturing solutions. He urged stakeholders to build systems that support innovation from research laboratories to commercial production.
TETFund has continued to invest in research, academic infrastructure and staff development across public tertiary institutions in Nigeria. In recent years, the agency has increased support for research projects aimed at addressing national challenges in areas such as agriculture, healthcare, technology and industrial development. However, experts have repeatedly noted that many research outcomes remain underutilised because they are not successfully converted into marketable products.
The development means Nigeria could strengthen its innovation ecosystem by creating stronger links between universities, industries and investors. If research findings are effectively commercialised, they could generate new businesses, expand local manufacturing, create employment opportunities and contribute to long-term economic growth while improving the country’s global competitiveness.
