TETFund, NACCIMA Partner to Translate Research Outputs to Real Industry Needs, Boost Innovation

Dike Onwuamaeze 

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja on Wednesday that would ensure that research and innovation emerging from Nigeria’s tertiary institutions are effectively applied to real industry needs.

The MOU marked the beginning of a strategic collaboration that is designed to align academic research with industry demands, support innovation-driven enterprises and startups and strengthen national skills development.

The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Mr. Sonny T. Echono, highlighted that the partnership evolved from NACCIMA’s proactive engagement to explore new areas of collaboration.

Echono said: “This MoU provides a robust framework to promote industry-relevant research, build dynamic innovation ecosystems, and create practical opportunities for students and researchers through industrial exposure, training, and mentorship.” 

Speaking in the same vein, the National President of NACCIMA, Dr. Jani Ibrahim, described the MoU as a significant step toward bridging the long-standing gap between academia and industry.

Ibrahim said: “Nigeria’s economic competitiveness must be anchored on knowledge, technology, skills, and enterprise.” 

He noted that this partnership would strengthen “the national skills pipeline, supports startup development, and enhances productivity across sectors.”

According to TETFund and NACCIMA, this partnership would deliver tangible benefits, including joint innovation through collaborative research projects, establishment of industry-focused research and incubation centres, expanded opportunities for internships and industrial attachments and promotion of technology transfer and digital economy initiatives.

It would also enhance policy advocacy and knowledge exchange between academia and industry

The collaboration also aligned strongly with the federal government’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” that prioritised skills development, innovation, and a competitive technology-driven economy.