TETFund, NACCIMA sign pact to boost innovation, industrial skills in Nigeria

Nigeria’s innovation and skills ecosystem has received a major boost as the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) formally signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen collaboration between academia and industry.

The partnership is aimed at addressing a long-standing national challenge: ensuring that research, innovation, and knowledge generated in tertiary institutions directly respond to real sector needs and contribute to economic growth.

The signing ceremony, held at TETFund Headquarters in Abuja, marked the beginning of a strategic alliance designed to align academic research with industry demands, support innovation-driven enterprises and startups, and strengthen national skills development.

Sonny S.T. Echono, Executive Secretary of TETFund, said the partnership emerged from NACCIMA’s proactive engagement and commitment to exploring new areas of collaboration.

“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,” he stated.

In his remarks, Jani Ibrahim, NACCIMA National President, described the MoU as a significant step toward bridging the long-standing gap between academia and industry to boost Nigeria’s global competitiveness.

“Nigeria’s economic competitiveness must be anchored on knowledge, technology, skills, and enterprise,” he said, noting that the partnership will strengthen the national skills pipeline, support startup development, and enhance productivity across sectors.

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According to him, the collaboration is expected to deliver tangible outcomes, including: Joint innovation through collaborative research projects, establishment of industry-focused research and incubation centres, expanded opportunities for internships and industrial attachments, promotion of technology transfer and digital economy initiatives, enhanced policy advocacy and knowledge exchange between academia and industry

The initiative aligns strongly with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes skills development, innovation, and a competitive, technology-driven economy.

Both TETFund and NACCIMA reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that the MoU delivers measurable and sustainable outcomes for Nigeria’s education and industrial sectors.