Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, has reaffirmed confidence in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem, urging young entrepreneurs to continue transforming ideas into sustainable businesses while announcing funding for the fifth edition of the Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers (iFAIR).
Freeman made the announcement at the closing ceremony and Innovation Showcase of iFAIR Cohort 4 in Abuja, describing the fellowship as a testament to the enduring innovation partnership between Nigeria and Israel.
“Today is a celebration of what is possible when Israel and Nigeria believe in each other,” the ambassador said. “I am proud to announce that, together with our partners, we have secured funding for iFAIR 5, which will launch in October 2026.”
He emphasized that innovation extends beyond technology, describing it as the ability to recognize opportunities where others see obstacles.
“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,” Freeman said.
According to the ambassador, the fellowship was intentionally designed to empower Nigerian innovators to develop homegrown solutions to local challenges, 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 noted that Nigeria and Israel had strengthened cooperation in technology, education, healthcare and water management. He also commended the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and Innov8 Hub for sustaining the initiative.
Addressing the graduating entrepreneurs, Freeman urged them to remain committed to innovation beyond the fellowship.
“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.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, said iFAIR is helping bridge the gap between research and industry by promoting the commercialization of university research and inventions.
“The main problem we are solving is how to commercialize 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 to transform 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 develop solutions to national and global challenges,” he added.
Also speaking, the Head of Programmes and Ventures at Innov8 Hub, Tolulope Aina, said Nigeria is rich in innovative talent but requires stronger support systems to transform ideas into industries that create lasting economic value.
“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,” Aina said.
He noted that Innov8 Hub has supported more than 3,000 researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs, with over 120 professionals working within the organisation to strengthen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.
The Chief Executive Officer of Engineers Without Borders Israel, Michal Dolav Hashimshony, praised 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.
Hashimshony also applauded the growing contribution of women to Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem, describing the female innovators and leaders she met during her visit as exceptionally talented and a source of optimism.
The iFAIR programme is a partnership between the Embassy of Israel in Nigeria, TETFund and Innov8 Hub. The nine-month innovation and venture development programme provides mentorship, technical support, product development assistance and investment opportunities to help early-stage startups, researchers and entrepreneurs transform innovative ideas into market-ready products and sustainable businesses.
