The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, says the country’s innovation ecosystem has a bright future, urging young entrepreneurs to continue transforming ideas into viable businesses.
Freeman also announced funding for the fifth edition of the Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers (iFAIR), which is scheduled to launch in October 2026.
He spoke at the closing ceremony and Innovation Showcase of iFAIR Cohort 4 in Abuja, where he said the programme reflected the strong 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.
According to Freeman, innovation is driven not only by technology but also by resilience, creativity and the ability to identify opportunities amid 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 said the fellowship was intentionally designed to empower Nigerian innovators to develop local solutions to local problems rather than replicate foreign 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 deepened cooperation in technology, education, healthcare and water management.
He also thanked the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and Innov8 Hub for sustaining the initiative.
The ambassador challenged the graduating entrepreneurs to remain committed to innovation beyond the fellowship.
“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.
Sonny Echono, executive secretary of TETFund, said the iFAIR initiative was helping bridge the gap between research and industry by promoting the commercialisation of 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 was establishing innovation centres in more than 60 tertiary institutions nationwide to enable students and researchers to convert ideas into commercially viable products.
“As I speak, TETFund is providing facilities and establishing innovation centres across over 60 tertiary institutions so that students, while still in school, can find solutions to global and national challenges,” he added.
Also speaking, Tolulope Aina, head of programmes and ventures at Innov8 Hub, said Nigeria had no shortage of innovative talent but needed stronger systems capable of transforming ideas into 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 had supported more than 3,000 researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs, while over 120 professionals now work within the organisation to strengthen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.
Michal Dolav Hashimshony, chief executive officer of Engineers Without Borders Israel, commended the ingenuity of the graduating entrepreneurs, describing 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-centred. Engineering has the power to change lives and create real impact,” she said.
She also commended the significant role women are playing in Nigeria’s innovation landscape, describing the female innovators and leaders she met during the 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. It provides mentorship, technical support and investment opportunities to help researchers and entrepreneurs transform innovative ideas into sustainable businesses.
The nine-month innovation and venture development programme supports early-stage startups and entrepreneurs in turning ideas into real products and stronger ventures. It helps founders reach their next milestones by supporting the development of tested prototypes, technical refinement, fabrication, testing and business development.
