The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has pledged support for the research and development plans of the Defence Research and Development Bureau (RDB), aiming to strengthen Nigeria’s defence innovation and technological capacity.
Speaking in Abuja while receiving K. J. Odubanjo, director general of RDB, and his team on Wednesday, Sonny Echono, executive secretary of TETFund, said military research plays a critical role in global scientific and technological progress.
“As a country seeking development, faced with challenges ranging from insecurity to unemployment and dependence on foreign goods, we must harness all available resources,” Echono said.
“Agencies like yours are essential to national development, and TETFund recognises the role of defence research in driving innovation.”
Echono highlighted that many commonplace technologies, such as the internet, GPS, Google Maps, and drone applications, have origins in military research. He stressed the importance of bridging civilian and military research through partnerships.
He further noted that TETFund has recently focused on military and defence research, creating a new thematic area under its National Research Fund Granting Committee. The fund also supports commercialization of research findings, translating prototypes into products for public consumption.
Earlier, Odubanjo said the RDB’s mandate is to coordinate research nationwide, particularly defence-related innovations, and foster strong collaboration between military and civilian institutions.
He cited examples of successful RDB collaborations, including the development of airboats for defence operations, now attracting interest from other government agencies, and night-vision goggles produced with private partners and tested for certification.
Odubanjo highlighted funding as a major challenge for research initiatives, stressing that TETFund’s intervention is vital to advancing Nigeria’s defence research capacity.
“With God’s help and continued support from TETFund, Nigeria’s research capacity will grow stronger, enabling the country to confront current security challenges and advance into the future,” he said.
