The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, has announced funding for the fifth edition of the Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers (iFAIR), reaffirming Israel’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.
Freeman made the announcement at the closing ceremony and Innovation Showcase of iFAIR Cohort 4 in Abuja, describing the fellowship as a symbol of the growing innovation partnership between Nigeria and Israel.
“Today is a celebration of what is possible when Israel and Nigeria believe in each other. I am so proud to stand here today and announce that we have secured with our partners funding for iFAIR 5, and iFAIR 5 will be launching in October 2026,” he said.
The ambassador said innovation is driven not only by technology but also by resilience, creativity and the ability to identify opportunities in the face of challenges.
“Innovation is not simply about technology. It’s about learning to see opportunities where others see obstacles. It’s about asking ‘why not?’ instead of ‘why?’. It’s about resilience, creativity, partnership and determination to build something better,” he said.
Freeman stressed that the fellowship was designed to help Nigerian innovators develop homegrown solutions to local challenges, supported by Israeli expertise and mentorship rather than imported models.
“This programme has never been about bringing Israeli solutions to Nigeria. It’s been about helping brilliant Nigerian innovators develop Nigerian solutions to Nigerian challenges, supported by Israeli experience, mentorship and innovation,” he said.
Reflecting on his diplomatic mission, Freeman said Nigeria and Israel had expanded cooperation in technology, education, healthcare and water management. He also commended the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and Innov8 Hub for sustaining the initiative.
He urged participants to remain committed to innovation beyond the fellowship, saying their greatest achievement was turning ideas into reality.
“The certificate you will receive soon is not your greatest achievement. Your greatest achievement was having the courage to take an idea and turn it into something real.
Nigeria needs innovators like you. Africa needs innovators like you. The world needs innovators like you,” he said.
The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono in his remarks said iFAIR is addressing the long-standing challenge of commercialising research outputs from Nigerian universities.
“The main problem we are solving is how to commercialize university research results and inventions, bridging the gap between academia, government and the productive industrial sector,” Echono said.
He disclosed that TETFund is establishing innovation centres in more than 60 tertiary institutions nationwide to enable students and researchers transform ideas into commercially viable products.
“As I speak, TETFund is providing facilities and establishing innovation centers across over 60 tertiary institutions so that students, while still in school, can find solutions to global and national challenges,” he added.
Also speaking, the Head of Programmes and Ventures at Innov8 Hub, Tolulope Aina, said Nigeria has abundant innovative talent but requires stronger systems to convert ideas into thriving industries.
“Every nation has ideas, but only a few succeed in transforming them into industries and lasting prosperity. The difference lies in the strength of the ecosystem that turns innovation into real world impact,” he said.
Aina said Innov8 Hub has supported more than 3,000 researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs, with over 120 professionals now working within the organisation to strengthen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.
The Chief Executive Officer of Engineers Without Borders Israel, Michal Dolav Hashimshony, praised the ingenuity of the graduating entrepreneurs and described Innov8 Hub as an ecosystem capable of driving meaningful change across Africa.
“You are inspiring. You make us feel optimistic because we believe technology must always be human centered. Engineering has the power to change lives and create real impact,” she said.
Hashimshony also commended the growing role of women in Nigeria’s innovation landscape, describing the female innovators and leaders she met during her visit as “extremely talented” and a source of optimism.
The iFAIR programme is a partnership between the Embassy of Israel in Nigeria, TETFund and Innov8 Hub. The nine month innovation and venture development programme provides mentorship, technical support, business development and investment opportunities to help early stage researchers and entrepreneurs transform ideas into tested prototypes, commercially viable products and sustainable businesses.
