The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen Nigeria’s position in Africa’s innovation and digital economy.
The agreement, signed in Abuja, launches the National Innovation and Digital Transformation Partnership Programme, which aims to reposition universities and polytechnics as hubs for research, technology development and economic growth.
UNDP Resident Representative, Elsie Attafuah, said the partnership has already produced projects such as the Mining Tech Unipod at Nasarawa State University and the Artificial Intelligence Unipod at the University of Lagos.
She described the Unipods as platforms that link research to industry, attract investment and build competitive innovation ecosystems across campuses.
TETFund Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono, said the Fund has expanded its investment in innovation hubs under the 2025 intervention cycle to prepare young Nigerians for emerging global opportunities. He said the collaboration with UNDP will help strengthen programme design, accelerate implementation and increase the impact of innovation initiatives nationwide
