The State of Israel and the Federal Republic of Nigeria continue to enhance their bilateral ties, focusing on economic cooperation and support across various sectors. In recent years, the partnership between the two countries has expanded into new realms that are shaping the landscape of the modern economy. Recognizing the immense talents and potential in Nigeria, the Israeli government has launched the Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers (i-FAIR) program.
The i-FAIR program aims to cultivate a generation of innovators, inventors, entrepreneurs, and researchers in Nigeria. Its objective is to bridge the gap between Nigerian startups and the access they need to expertise, equipment, mentorship, and investment. Through i-FAIR, participants are empowered to transform their ideas into tangible inventions and prototypes for commercialization.
Coordinated by the Israeli Embassy and the Office of the Nigerian Vice President, the i-FAIR program has already yielded numerous success stories. The recently launched Phase 3 in Abuja has attracted a significant number of Nigerian beneficiaries who have embraced the opportunity to tap into Israeli digital technological prowess. The program aims to create a robust innovation ecosystem in Nigeria, generating employment opportunities and fostering economic growth.
The Innov8 Center in Abuja has been the focal point for i-FAIR, serving as a productive platform for participants, mentors, and experts alike. In line with President Bola Tinubu’s vision to boost Nigeria’s economy through digital innovation and invention, the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, expressed the Israeli government’s commitment to expanding the partnership with the Federal Government. Their goal is to create one million jobs in Nigeria by providing support to Nigerian innovators, inventors, and entrepreneurs through digital skills training, investment, and infrastructure development.
Freeman emphasized that Israel, as a world leader in the digital economy and attracting investments, is eager to be a partner in realizing President Tinubu’s vision. The i-FAIR program aligns perfectly with this objective, as it aims to create a million jobs in the digital economy by nurturing a new generation of Nigerian entrepreneurs and innovators.
The i-FAIR program focuses on enhancing the capacity of Nigerian talents who have ideas and concepts but struggle to advance to the next level. It harnesses the rich resources of Israeli innovators and entrepreneurs to improve their talents through mentorship and leadership. Israel’s expertise as a country with a strong focus on human capital, numerous startups, and investments in research and development, adds significant value to the program.
Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, an advisor to the program, highlighted the productive collaboration between Nigeria and Israel, particularly in commercializing research and development from Nigerian universities. He stressed the importance of collaborative partners like Israel in achieving President Tinubu’s mandate of creating a million jobs in the digital economy. Aboyeji encouraged young Nigerians to seize the opportunity offered by i-FAIR, emphasizing the support and knowledge provided by Inov8 and the State of Israel.
Various Federal Government agencies have expressed interest in collaborating with the i-FAIR program to expand its reach in Nigeria. The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) has pledged its support to help inventors patent their intellectual property, highlighting the need to boost indigenous technology and reduce reliance on foreign technologies. NOTAP aims to assist young Nigerians in patenting their inventions free of charge, instilling confidence in private investors regarding the protection of intellectual property.
The i-FAIR program stands as a testament to the deepening partnership between Nigeria and Israel, focusing on digital innovation and entrepreneurship to drive economic growth, create employment opportunities, and propel Nigeria’s technological advancement.
