Israel and Nigeria Boost Ties in Science and Innovation

Nigeria and Israel reaffirmed their bilateral commitment to advancing research, technology, and innovation on Friday, with a focus on expanding partnerships to drive entrepreneurship and accelerate economic growth through the commercialization of research.

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This renewed commitment was made at the closing ceremony of the I-FAIR Cohort of the Israel-Nigeria Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers in Abuja, where Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, announced that funding had been secured for the fifth edition of the programme, set to commence in October 2026.

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Freeman described the I-FAIR programme as a tangible demonstration of the growing partnership between Nigeria and Israel, highlighting its role in enabling Nigerian innovators to develop local solutions to national challenges through Israeli expertise and mentorship.

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He emphasized that the programme's primary objective was to support Nigerian innovators in developing Nigerian solutions to Nigerian challenges, rather than relying on Israeli solutions, and noted that it had successfully brought together government, academia, investors, engineers, and entrepreneurs to transform innovative ideas into job-creating businesses.

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Announcing the programme's continuation, Freeman expressed his pride in securing funding for I-FAIR 5, which is scheduled to launch in October 2026, and highlighted the significant growth in Nigeria-Israel relations over the past four and a half years, particularly in innovation, agriculture, healthcare, education, water management, and technology.

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Freeman expressed confidence that stronger collaboration between the two countries would unlock greater opportunities for startups, research institutions, and businesses, and noted that Israel brings experience and innovation in areas such as technology, agriculture, and cybersecurity, while Nigeria offers extraordinary talent, creativity, and a dynamic young population.

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He added that he has no doubt that the best chapters of the Nigeria-Israel relationship are still ahead, and that the two countries have a promising future of cooperation and mutual benefit.

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The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Architect Sonny Echono, reaffirmed TETFund's commitment to strengthening research and innovation through strategic partnerships with Israel and other stakeholders, and noted that the I-FAIR programme aligns with Nigeria's priorities in areas such as food security, medicine, and clean energy.

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Echono stressed the importance of collaboration between government, academia, and industry in translating research findings into products and services, and highlighted TETFund's efforts to establish innovation facilities in about 60 tertiary institutions and create a student innovation fund to support commercially viable ideas, with up to ₦50 million available to students.

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Echono also announced plans for a National Research Fair later this year, where innovators will have the opportunity to showcase their products before policymakers, financial institutions, and investors to attract funding and commercial partnerships.

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Paying tribute to the outgoing Israeli ambassador, Echono described Freeman as a strong bridge between Nigeria and Israel, and expressed Nigeria's gratitude for his service and commitment to strengthening the bilateral relationship.

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Earlier, Head of Programmes at Innov8 Hub, Tolulope Aina, emphasized the importance of building an innovation ecosystem that transforms ideas into successful businesses, and noted that Innov8 Hub had supported over 3,000 innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs in converting research into products, startups, and investment-ready ventures.

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Aina highlighted the need for stronger pathways to help ideas become products, businesses, and opportunities that improve life, and thanked the Embassy of Israel and TETFund for their continued support in strengthening Nigeria's innovation ecosystem.

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According to Aina, building an innovation-driven economy requires collaboration, long-term commitment, and a shared purpose, and she emphasized the importance of collective effort in driving sustainable economic development through innovation.