The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, has reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem, announcing funding for the fifth edition of the Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers (iFAIR) while urging young entrepreneurs to continue transforming ideas into successful businesses.
Freeman made the announcement at the closing ceremony and Innovation Showcase of the fourth cohort of the iFAIR programme in Abuja, describing the initiative as a symbol of the growing innovation partnership between Nigeria and Israel.
He disclosed that the next edition of the fellowship would commence in October 2026 following the successful completion of Cohort Four.
“Today is a celebration of what is possible when Israel and Nigeria believe in each other. I am proud to announce that, with our partners, we have secured funding for iFAIR 5, which will be launched in October 2026,” he said.
The ambassador said innovation extends beyond technology and is driven by resilience, creativity and the ability to identify opportunities in the face of challenges.
“Innovation is not simply about technology. It is about learning to see opportunities where others see obstacles. It is about asking ‘why not?’ instead of ‘why?’. It is about resilience, creativity, partnership and the determination to build something better,” Freeman said.
He stressed that the fellowship was designed to help Nigerian innovators develop homegrown solutions to local challenges rather than replicate foreign models.
“This programme has never been about bringing Israeli solutions to Nigeria. It is about helping brilliant Nigerian innovators develop Nigerian solutions to Nigerian challenges, supported by Israeli experience, mentorship and innovation,” he added.
Freeman noted that Nigeria and Israel have strengthened collaboration in technology, education, healthcare and water management during his diplomatic mission, while commending the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and Innov8 Hub for sustaining the initiative.
He urged participants graduating from the programme to remain committed to innovation, saying their greatest achievement was transforming ideas into practical solutions.
“The certificate you will receive 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.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, said the iFAIR initiative was helping bridge the gap between academic research and industry by promoting the commercialisation of research outputs and university inventions.
“The main problem we are solving is how to commercialise 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 across the country to enable students and researchers develop commercially viable products from their ideas.
“As I speak, TETFund is providing facilities and establishing innovation centres across over 60 tertiary institutions so that students, while still in school, can develop solutions to national and global challenges,” he said.
In his remarks, the Head of Programmes and Ventures at Innov8 Hub, Tolulope Aina, said Nigeria possesses abundant innovative talent but requires stronger systems to transform 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 converts innovation into real-world impact,” he said.
Aina disclosed that Innov8 Hub has supported more than 3,000 researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs, while employing over 120 professionals dedicated to strengthening Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.
The Chief Executive Officer of Engineers Without Borders Israel, Michal Dolav Hashimshony, commended the creativity and determination of the graduating entrepreneurs, describing Innov8 Hub as an ecosystem capable of driving transformative change across Africa.
“You are inspiring. You make us optimistic because we believe technology must always be human-centred. Engineering has the power to change lives and create real impact,” she said.
Hashimshony also praised the growing contributions of women to Nigeria’s innovation landscape, describing the female innovators and leaders she encountered during her visit as exceptionally talented.
The iFAIR programme is a collaborative initiative of the Embassy of Israel in Nigeria, TETFund and Innov8 Hub. The nine-month innovation and venture development programme provides mentorship, technical support, product development, business advisory services and investment opportunities to help early-stage startups, researchers and entrepreneurs transform innovative ideas into market-ready products and sustainable businesses.
