TETFund, UNDP Collaborate to Accelerate Innovation, and Digital Transformation in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate Nigeria’s transition toward an innovation-driven, knowledge-based economy. The agreement, which was signed on behalf of both organizations by the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono and the UNDP Resident Representative to Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah will strengthen universities and polytechnics as engines of research commercialisation, entrepreneurship, job creation, and technological advancement. The partnership which will be implemented through the National Innovation and Digital Transformation Partnership Programme (NIDTPP) - a joint platform for programming, co-investment, technical collaboration, and ecosystem coordination will focus on five strategic areas which include institutionalising innovation across tertiary institutions; strengthening Nigeria’s human capital base for transformative innovation; accelerating research commercialisation and frontier technology adoption; scaling access to sustainable financing for innovation; and strengthening evidence, policy, governance, and impact systems. Speaking at the signing ceremony which took place at the TETFund Headquarters in Abuja, the UNDP Resident Representative to Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah described the collaboration as a defining moment not only for the organizations involved, but for Nigeria’s journey towards becoming an innovation driven economy. She described TETFund as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s nation-building project, adding that its investments have strengthened infrastructure, expanded research, and enabled thousands of scholars to advance knowledge and national development. Ms. Attafuah stated that UNDP was honoured to partner with TETFund in the next phase of the project, which deliberately advances innovation, digital transformation, and the knowledge economy across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono described the event as momentous, noting that it aligned with the Fund’s commitment to transforming the educational landscape of the country by rigid repositioning of educational curriculum to address the challenges of the future while equipping the youth with necessary skills. Arc. Echono noted that the partnership would strengthen TETFund’s mandate and expand its ability to deliver world-class innovation systems, research capacity, and job-creating ventures within Nigeria’s tertiary education landscape. He further stated that the partnership directly supports the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Development Plan, the Nigeria Startup Act, and National Digital and Youth Programmes.

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate Nigeria’s transition toward an innovation-driven, knowledge-based economy. The agreement, which was signed on behalf of both organizations by the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono and the UNDP Resident Representative to Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah will strengthen universities and polytechnics as engines of research commercialisation, entrepreneurship, job creation, and technological advancement. The partnership which will be implemented through the National Innovation and Digital Transformation Partnership Programme (NIDTPP) - a joint platform for programming, co-investment, technical collaboration, and ecosystem coordination will focus on five strategic areas which include institutionalising innovation across tertiary institutions; strengthening Nigeria’s human capital base for transformative innovation; accelerating research commercialisation and frontier technology adoption; scaling access to sustainable financing for innovation; and strengthening evidence, policy, governance, and impact systems. Speaking at the signing ceremony which took place at the TETFund Headquarters in Abuja, the UNDP Resident Representative to Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah described the collaboration as a defining moment not only for the organizations involved, but for Nigeria’s journey towards becoming an innovation driven economy. She described TETFund as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s nation-building project, adding that its investments have strengthened infrastructure, expanded research, and enabled thousands of scholars to advance knowledge and national development. Ms. Attafuah stated that UNDP was honoured to partner with TETFund in the next phase of the project, which deliberately advances innovation, digital transformation, and the knowledge economy across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono described the event as momentous, noting that it aligned with the Fund’s commitment to transforming the educational landscape of the country by rigid repositioning of educational curriculum to address the challenges of the future while equipping the youth with necessary skills. Arc. Echono noted that the partnership would strengthen TETFund’s mandate and expand its ability to deliver world-class innovation systems, research capacity, and job-creating ventures within Nigeria’s tertiary education landscape. He further stated that the partnership directly supports the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Development Plan, the Nigeria Startup Act, and National Digital and Youth Programmes.