Nigerian Academics Develop Innovations to Tackle Hunger and Poverty

A group of 18 Nigerian researchers and lecturers has developed four prototypes to tackle issues such as poverty, hunger, quality education, responsible consumption and production in the country. The project, called Research for Impact, was organised by Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and Innov8 Hub, bringing together public university and college lecturers.

The 18 participants worked in four teams, each developing potentially scalable solutions to address complex social, cultural, and economic challenges in Nigeria. Team one created a smart grain storage system to prevent pest infestation and keep food secure for consumption. Team two focused on “no poverty”, coming up with a low-density building called a “float house” that can be constructed on water.

Team three concentrated on “zero hunger”, designing an Automated Ultrasonic Solar-Powered Sprayer and broad-spectrum bio-pesticides to control pests, while team four devised an app that provides relevant lecture materials to lecturers and students, to improve the quality of education.

During a two-week training programme for the lecturers, TETFund’s executive secretary, Sonny Echono, urged them to serve as role models and make meaningful contributions to education in their respective institutions. He said the Research for Impact Initiative was a step in the right direction for Nigeria, given its high population growth rate.

Dr Obichi Obiajunwa, the chief facilitator for the R4i workshop, added that innovation is essential to progress any nation, especially when tackling complex challenges and creating a more prosperous world. Lecturers have an essential role in shaping the minds of future generations, and by fostering innovative thinking in their teachings and research, they can profoundly impact the country’s development.