Dr Umar Bindir, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) National Research Fair and Exhibition, has outlined the criteria for selecting research projects for the national exhibition, emphasising practical benefits, innovation and the potential for adoption by relevant organisations across Nigeria.

Bindir made the remarks during an appearance on the Nigerian Television Authority’s Good Morning Nigeria, where he explained that the selection process was designed to identify research outputs capable of moving beyond academic work into practical use.

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The committee is seeking innovations that can address real-world challenges, support institutional development and contribute to the country’s economic and technological progress.

The approach reflects TETFund’s broader effort to strengthen the connection between research institutions, industry and organisations that can adopt locally developed solutions.

The 2026 exhibition is scheduled to hold from November 24 to 27 at the Abuja Trade and Convention Centre, under the theme, “Research to Market: Driving Innovation, Enterprise and National Prosperity”.

The event is expected to bring together researchers, inventors, entrepreneurs, investors and industry representatives to showcase innovations and explore opportunities for commercialisation.

The selection process places emphasis on research projects with demonstrable value and the potential to be used by relevant organisations.

TETFund’s previous exhibition guidelines required submitted inventions to be in working condition and either ready for industrial adoption or developed to a scalable prototype stage.

The criteria reflect the Fund’s intention to promote research that can be translated into products, services and technologies capable of addressing national needs.

Projects are also expected to demonstrate relevance to key sectors, including agriculture, health, manufacturing, engineering, environmental sustainability and emerging technologies.

The exhibition’s sector-based approach is intended to make it easier for industry stakeholders and potential investors to identify innovations relevant to their operations.

The 2026 exhibition follows the maiden edition held in 2024, which attracted researchers and inventors from across Nigeria.

More than 1,600 entries were reportedly received for the inaugural fair, reflecting interest in showcasing locally developed technologies and research outputs.

TETFund has said the initiative is intended to help promising research findings attract investment, industry partnerships and opportunities for commercialisation.

The Fund has also expanded the organising committee to include representatives from the private sector, innovation hubs, government agencies, inventors and other stakeholders, in a bid to strengthen the relationship between research and industry.

The 2026 edition is expected to widen participation beyond institutions directly benefiting from TETFund interventions, allowing Nigerian innovators and inventors to present products, services and technologies for consideration.

The exhibition is part of TETFund’s broader strategy to support research, innovation and technology development within Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

By prioritising projects with practical applications, the initiative seeks to encourage researchers to consider how their findings can be adopted by businesses, public institutions and other users.

For innovators, selection could provide opportunities to demonstrate their work to potential partners and investors, while organisations attending the exhibition may gain access to locally developed solutions relevant to their needs.

The success of the initiative will ultimately depend on whether the showcased projects move beyond exhibition displays into actual use, investment and wider deployment.

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As preparations continue, Bindir’s explanation reinforces the committee’s focus on identifying research with the potential to deliver measurable benefits to Nigeria’s institutions, economy and society.