NIGERIA MUST COMMERCIALISE RESEARCH TO CREATE JOBS, – TETFUND BOSS

The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Mr. Sonny Echono, has called on Nigerian universities and research institutions to prioritise the commercialisation of research outputs to create jobs and drive economic growth.

Echono made the call on Friday while delivering a keynote address at the National Research and Innovation Summit in Abuja. He emphasised that research without commercial application has limited impact on national development and urged institutions to establish strong linkages with industry.

“Nigeria must move from research for publication to research for commercialisation. Our universities and research centres should focus on solving real problems and turning their findings into viable businesses that create jobs and grow the economy,” Echono stated.

The TETFund boss revealed that the agency has introduced several initiatives to support the commercialisation of research, including grants for innovation, technology transfer offices, and partnerships with the private sector. He encouraged researchers to think beyond academic publications and develop products and services that can be patented and marketed.

Participants at the summit, including vice-chancellors, researchers, and industry leaders, agreed that commercialisation of research is critical to addressing Nigeria’s unemployment challenge and reducing dependence on oil revenue. Several success stories of commercialised research were shared, demonstrating the potential for economic impact.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tunji Alausa, commended TETFund for its efforts and pledged the government’s support for research and innovation. He called for a national policy that incentivises commercialisation and protects intellectual property rights.

Echono assured that TETFund will continue to provide funding and technical support for institutions that demonstrate a clear commitment to research commercialisation. He urged researchers to collaborate more with the private sector to identify market needs and develop solutions that can be scaled up for economic benefit.

As Nigeria seeks to diversify its economy and create more opportunities for its teeming youth population, the push for research commercialisation is seen as a vital strategy for sustainable development and job creation.