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Innov8 Hub Celebrates International Day of Zero Waste

The United Nations General Assembly in 2022 passed a resolution to proclaim the 30th of March as the International Day of Zero Waste every year. Today marks the first celebration of International Day of Zero Waste. The day highlights the need to minimize and manage waste in an environmentally sustainable manner. This year’s theme, “Achieving sustainable and environmentally sound practices of minimizing and managing waste,” emphasizes the urgent need to take action toward a zero-waste future. On this day, Innov8 Hub iterates our commitment in promoting waste reduction and management. Innov8 Hub is proud to be celebrating this important day with our community.

The Need for Innovative Ways to Manage Waste

The rapid growth of global waste generation has created a significant environmental challenge. Traditional waste management practices, such as landfills and incineration, have proven to be unsustainable and detrimental to the environment. Innov8 Hub recognizes the urgent need for innovative ways to manage waste and reduce its impact on the environment. Through our recycling/upcycling programs, we aim to transform waste materials into valuable items, promote sustainable consumption, and encourage the circular economy.

International Day of Zero Waste: Innov8 Hub’s Initiatives

Innov8 Hub has contributed significantly to zero-waste management through our recycling/upcycling initiatives. We have successfully transformed waste materials into items of value and beauty, such as furniture, clothing, and art pieces. One of our notable partnerships is with the IICD Center, where we work together to promote sustainable waste management practices. We also hosted the “Upcycling Redefined” workshop in 2021, sponsored by the U.S Embassy, where we showcased the potential of upcycling waste materials and the impact it can have on reducing waste.

International Day of Zero Waste: Achieving Sustainable & Environmentally Sound Practices of Minimizing and Managing Waste

As we celebrate International Day of Zero Waste, Innov8 Hub reiterates its commitment to promoting sustainable and environmentally sound practices of minimizing and managing waste. Our recycling/upcycling initiatives are just some of the ways we are making a positive impact on the environment. We urge everyone to join us in this journey toward a zero-waste future, where waste is reduced, reused, and recycled. Together, we can make a difference and achieve a more sustainable and environmentally sound world.

Innov8 Hub celebrates International Women’s Day

Embracing Equity on International Women’s Day

Innov8 Hub proudly celebrates International Women’s Day. It is a global event that commemorates the socio-economic, cultural, and collective achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender balance across the world.

Through various innovative initiatives, Innov8 Hub has been supporting women from different backgrounds. Innov8 Hub encourages women to break barriers, develop skills, and unleash their full potential in entrepreneurship, education, innovation, and technology.

Celebrating Innovators on International Women’s Day

With this year’s theme for International Women’s Day on Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality, we highlight some of the remarkable prototypes created by women through our various programs. Here are some of the outstanding innovations:

Geco Bricks

Goodness Tamuno’s Geco Bricks offers an eco-friendly solution to plastic waste. This is done by recycling PET bottles and nylons to create strong and sustainable building materials. The main goal of Geco Bricks is to combat the problem of waste pollution and provide affordable building materials.

Mellopads

Mellopads is a medical device designed to relieve menstrual pain among African women. Developed by Abigail Ogunyemi, the device uses heat therapy and nerve stimulation to provide a safe and affordable alternative to traditional pain relief methods. With Mellopads, users can control heat levels and activate the nerve stimulation feature for a lower belly massage. This innovative solution offers a more accessible way for women to manage menstrual pain, an important health issue in Africa.

Farmisphere Cold Box

Looking for a sustainable and convenient way to transport fresh produce and seafood from harvesters to urban households? Check out Farmisphere Cold Box, a smart cooling box and digital marketplace developed by Eneyi Oshi. This innovative solution utilizes mobile cooling boxes that can be attached to delivery bikes, ensuring that the products arrive at their destination in optimal condition. With Farmisphere Cold Box, you can enjoy farm fresh produce and seafood without leaving your home

Oke

Check out Oke, a set of hand-made jewelry made from discarded high-density polyethylene plastics. Developed by Ireoluwa Bolakojo, this innovation aims to promote recycling and environmental sustainability through the creative use of waste materials. By incorporating Oke into your wardrobe, you can make a statement while also promoting a greener future.

AquaRes

AquaRes is a cutting-edge device developed by Dr. Tochukwu Ogbuile. It helps fish farmers detect and improve excess nutrient removal from their ponds, prevents algal bloom, and reduces fish mortality rates. Using advanced sensors and analytics, AquaRes measures key water quality parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and ammonia, and provides real-time feedback to farmers.

International Women’s Day

These prototypes showcase the innovative and creative abilities of women in Nigeria, addressing important social and environmental issues with sustainable solutions. Innov8 Hub is proud to have played a role in empowering women to innovate and bring their ideas to life. As we celebrate International Women’s Day with the theme #EmbraceEquity in 2023, we recognize the crucial contributions of women in technology and innovation. We encourage more support for women-led initiatives in Nigeria and beyond. Innov8 Hub remains committed to supporting innovative women in Nigeria through its various programs and initiatives.

Nigerian Girls Can Code Competition comes to an end

Nigerian Girls Can Code Competition

The Nigerian Girls Can Code Competition comes to an end. The competition, initiated by the Nigerian Communications Commission and hosted at Innov8 Hub, held for a period of 3 days. The initiators established the Nigerian Girls Can Code competition targeting girls in secondary schools who possess an interest and talent in robotics, artificial intelligence, and coding.

After presenting their projects to the judges, the participants answered relevant questions about their projects and then received evaluations. Afterwards, the students anxiously awaited the announcement of the results.

Nigerian Girls Can Code Competition
A cross section of some of the participating schools and their students

Award Ceremony

The award ceremony held on the 3rd day of the event, at the headquarters of the NCC.The Executive Commissioner, Engr. Ubale Maska, delivered the opening remark at the event. In the keynote address by Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, he commended the initiative and its positive effect on gender balance. The keynote speaker also encouraged the girls to achieve more in their quest of innovation and creativity. The technical facilitator from Innov8 Hub, Mr. Newton Monye, gave a speech, which was followed by the announcement of the winners.

In the quest to reward all participants, the organisers of the Nigerian Girls Can Code Competition gave a basic cash award of 200,000 Naira to all participating schools.The Ambassadors School from Ota in Ogun state secured the 3rd place and received a cash prize of 500,000 Naira. Federal Government College Maiduguri clinched the 2nd place and earned a cash prize of 1,000,000 Naira. Amid nervous anticipation throughout the hall, the announcement of the winner finally came. At-Tarbiyyah STEM School emerged as the 1st place winner and received a cash prize of 1,500,000 Naira.

In his goodwill message, the chairman of the board of commissioners, NCC, Professor Adeolu Akande lauded the initiative. He spoke on the philosophy of gender inclusiveness by the NCC in their flagship programmes.

Images of the Nigerian Girls Can Code Competition’s top 3 winners in ascending order

Nigerian Girls Can Code Competition

Innov8 Hub Hosts Nigerian Girls Can Code Competition

Innov8 Hub in collaboration with the Nigerian Communication Commission, hosted the maiden edition of the Nigerian Girls Can Code competition. The competition was created for girls in secondary schools across all geopolitical zones in Nigeria. It is strictly made for Nigerian girls interested in the practice and theory of Robotics & Coding.

One of the teams preparing for their presentation

At the opening event, the Communications Advisor at Innov8 Hub, Mr. Deji Ige, gave the opening remark, motivating the girls to achieve the best and dare the impossible. The representative of the NCC, Chinwe Maduabum, welcomed all the participants and their mentors to the competition. She proclaimed that Nigerian Girls Can Code and wished the participants the best in their quest for the revered prize.

After a comprehensive tour of the hub, the participants were shown their respective work stations and underwent training sessions. These sessions included courses on Robotics & Artificial Intelligence, as well as IOT & Embedded Systems. The participants also worked with experts from Innov8 Hub for the necessary guidance and assistance with their project. Before the close of day 1, the teams were allocated slots for their presentations by random raffle selections.

On the 2nd day of the Competition, participants presented their projects to 8 judges. They went in turns to present the practical and theory aspects of their projects to the judges. From their reactions before and after their presentations, it was evident that the process was both tasking and demanding, but at the end of the day, they were all grateful for the experience, knowledge and time spent at Innov8 Hub.

Day 2 of the girls can code competition ended with a remark from the representative of the NCC, while guests and participants await the announcement of the results from the competition.

MORE IMAGES FROM THE EVENT

Judges and NCC staff in attendance

TETFAIR: Market Validation Phase Commences

TETFAIR Market Validation commences. The TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research (TETFAIR) commenced its maiden edition at Innov8 Hub on the 5th of December, 2022.

TETFAIR is an initiative of TETFund in collaboration with Innov8 Hub. The programme is designed for the Nigerian academia from public institutions with ideas and research they intend to turn into Innovation & solution for the Nigerian innovative and technological value-chain.

Participants are currently in the market-validation phase of the year-long programme. This phase is fundamental to the development of new technologies. It involves determining demand for their suggested solution products and getting a better grasp of potential users’ challenges. Validating business ideas enables them to appraise their solution products or services, as well as determine business model sustainability.

Following the Bootcamp in December 2022, participants have been working remotely on their validation process. This involves traveling to meet with potential users, sending out online questionnaires, and field trips to conduct research.

TARGET MARKET VALIDATION COMMENCES

As the TETFAIR market validation commences, some teams have already made field trips to interview potential customers, such as the AniMed team. They visited Ibadan in Oyo State, Nigeria, for an insightful market validation of their Digital Non-Invasive Automatic Livestock Measuring Device.

The SmartAgro team arrived Alabata village to conduct a market validation for their NIMTrack project, with over 20 farmers present. The participants comprised leaders of the Cattle Farmers Association , all engrossed in a very educative and revealing market validation session.

After the TETFAIR market validation, an online mentorship session ensued with a review of the outcomes of the validation process, which translated into insights and decisions on the development of solutions.

Online Engagement on market requirements

Participants also had an online engagement with Mr. Itzik Ronen, CTO of Innov8, where they learned about market requirements documents (MRDs), which are strategic documents written by product managers or product marketing managers to help define the market’s requirements or demand for a particular product. PRDs are used in the product development process to communicate what capabilities must be included in a product. Additionally, they are presently constructing PRD and MRD.

TETFAIR: TOP GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, ACADEMICS OTHERS AT OPENING EVENT

Top government officials, academics, and others attended the opening event of The TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research- TETFAIR.

The Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Adeleke Mamora, the Executive Secretary TETFund, Architect Sonny Echono, and other top government officials, academics, members of the diplomatic corps and captains of industry arrived at Innov8 Hub on Thursday 14th December 2022, for the opening event of TETFAIR.

TETFAIR, a collaborative initiative of TETFund and Innov8 Hub is a 12-month programme for academics and researchers who intend to turn ideas and research into innovation, solution, and enterprise.

L-R: Neta Hanien, Arc. Sonny Echono, Prof. Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, Meir Dagan, Itzik Ronen

In his remark, the Honourable Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Adeleke Mamora, reassured stakeholders of the Federal Government’s commitment to the advancement of scientific innovation in Nigeria. According to Mamora who was represented by Mrs. Monilola Udoh, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, TETFAIR is in line with Executive Order No. 5 of President Muhammadu Buhari, which calls for integrating science, technology, and innovation into daily life in order to promote national development.

The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, declared TETFAIR open. He stated that the project would assist address shortcomings and propose answers that will help Nigeria meet international demands. The Honourable Minister, represented by the Minister of State for Education Goodluck Nanah Opiah, applauded TETFund for the effort and added that developed nations rely on science and technology to achieve their status.

In his keynote address, the Executive Secretary of TETFund gave insight into the TETFAIR initiative in collaboration with Innov8 Hub. Architect Echono indicated that TETFAIR was part of the country’s efforts to institutionalize Research & Development in Nigeria.

“The TETFAIR programme is being conducted by TETFund in collaboration with Innov8 Technology Hub, a firm championing the advancement of Science and Technology Education in Nigeria.”

“The programme is designed to support the advancement of solution-driven research, innovation and sustainable development in Nigeria. Being a year-long programme, TETFAIR is aimed at providing a unique opportunity for our academics and researchers in Nigerian Universities to transform their ideas into market-driven solutions, including the development and fabrication of prototypes.”

“Through the programme, selected teams of researchers and academic staff with promising ideas for innovative solutions in the programme’s areas of focus, are being taken through a journey that combines technology and product development along with venture creation.”

In his address, the Executive Secretary of the NUC Prof. Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, reminded the members of academia present of the government’s mandate to provide infrastructure, tax reduction and multiple waivers to create an enabling environment for members of the academia to conduct research.

The Communications adviser at Innov8 Hub, Deji Ige, intimated to the attendants the core objectives of the Innov8 Hub philosophy.

“In the 3 years of our existence, we have become the epicentre of innovation, invention, solution and start-up incubation in Nigeria; aided considerably by critical collaborations with visionary and resilient partners like the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, the Embassy of the State of Israel in Nigeria, MakeLab, Zell Entrepreneurship and others, who share our vision of inculcating the culture of innovation and venture creation in Nigerians; to gradually transform Nigeria into a start-up nation.

“So far, we have helped Nigerians develop and perfect over 72 prototypes ready for commercialisation, we have mentored over 150 innovators, inventors and venture creators, among whom are academics and researchers. We have been involved in the emergence of 15 solid start-ups.”

TETFAIR: SOCIAL MEDIA FRENZY AS OPENING EVENT APPROACHES

Social media frenzy erupts as the TETFUnd Alliance for Innovative Research-TETFAIR, enters the second week of its Bootcamp phase.

Over the previous days, participants comprising academics and researchers from public Universities in Nigeria, have been left astonished by TETFAIR and the prospects to come over the next 12 months. They have taken to social media to proclaim their elation. The facilitators and resource persons have not been left out of the frenzy as well, with posts on their respective TETFAIR Bootcamp experiences.

On LinkedIn, one participant, Dr. Elias Elemike posted: “a sweet journey begins when you have the passion and you are eager to get to the end.” He also mentioned some of the mentors and facilitators in his post, expressing his gratitude for the knowledge imparted.

Also on LinkedIn, the Director of Programmes & Partnerships at Innov8 Hub, Neta Hainen’s post was quoted: “When your mentees become your mentors, grateful for the opportunity to work with the greatest minds in Nigeria at TETFAIR programme, an initiative of Tertiary Education Trust Fund at Innov8 Hub, Abuja.

On Twitter, one of the mentors, Farmer Samson Ogbole posted: “Humbled to be called upon as a mentor at Innov8 Hub for TETFAIR, a TETFund-funded acado-preneurs, brightest ideas from the lecturers of Nigerian Universities, as we look to turn research into business.”

Facebook wasn’t left out of the social media frenzy, as Team 4 members of TETFAIR Prof. O.T Arogundade, Prof. O.A Isah, and Dr. A. Abayomi-Alli, all working on an innovation ‘Nim Track’, made a collaborative post of their Bootcamp experience on Facebook: “It has been a huge moment of capacity development at the TETFAIR programme, organised by TETFund and Innov8 hub. Our team of professionals has been going through a strategic growth session and maximising the sessions to showcase and improve our solutions.”

Dr. Uloma Onyeka, a specialist in Food & Science Technology from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, and member of Team 6 in TETFAIR, also took to Facebook to post: “I am personally excited and elevated because of this programme. My academic journey will never be the same again. No, not after what Innov8 experts have loaded me with. Thanks to TETFund and Innov8 Hub.”

TETFAIR: Participants Have Their Say as Bootcamp Enters Day 5

Participants of the TETFAIR Bootcamp have been involved in self-immersing activities and engagements from the very moment they arrived Innov8 Hub, till present. The TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research, TETFAIR, Bootcamp entered its 5th day on Friday the 9th of December 2022g.

TETFAIR, an initiative of TETFund in collaboration with Innov8 Hub, is a 12-month-long capacity-building programme, created for academics and researchers from Universities in Nigeria, to translate ideas into Innovation, Solution & Enterprise.

Participants in the Bootcamp have been engrossed in activities leading to a crescendo of impactful engagements, with courses by mentors and facilitators.

Participants from selected teams have given their views on the activities of the TETFAIR Bootcamp, lauding the TETFund initiative. They also spoke about the prospects of the year-long programme, which would be conducted both in person and virtually at different periods.

Speaking to Dr. Adeniji Oluwasola David from the Department of Computer Science at the University of Ibadan, he described his experience at the Bootcamp as “wonderful, interesting, captivating, and motivating.” He was also full of praise for Innov8 Hub, professing the global standards of the infrastructure & environment, as well as the facilitators, mentors, and staff, whom he described as “supportive, insightful, and efficient.” He also gave a snippet of his team’s project, a health-based idea with the goal of reducing deafness to the barest minimum.

Another participant of the TETFAIR Bootcamp, Nneoma Aneke from the department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, described her Bootcamp experience as “phenomenal and interesting.” She was at a loss for further adjectives to quantify her amazing experience. She also lauded the fantastic environment, top-notch staff, and resource persons of TETFAIR. On the initiative, she claimed it was the best collaboration she has seen in academia, as it has helped build her capacity to streamline ideas into pragmatic structures. At the end of the Bootcamp, the Agric & Bioresources lecturer said she would take back to her institution, the knowledge transfer, networking, relationships built, and the light she has received, in order to shine it in her institution and pass the torch to the upcoming generation of scholars, researchers, and academics.

The TETFAIR Bootcamp participants’ activities is only a fragment of the 12-month capacity-building engagement of the TETFAIR initiative, where members of academia are expected to translate ideas into Innovation, Solution & Enterprise.

TETFAIR BEGINS AT INNOV8 HUB

The TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research (TETFAIR) commenced on the 5th of December 2022, at Innov8 Hub. TETFAIR is a year-long initiative of TETFund, in collaboration with Innov8 Hub. It is a programme created for academics and researchers from Government-owned Universities across Nigeria with innovative ideas.

After a rigorous process conducted by international experts, participants were selected with the goal of translating research into solutions, in accordance with global best practices.

TETFAIR began with an introduction detailing the overview of the programme’s core objectives, led by Neta Hanien and Uri Mestechkin. The participants were briefed on the scheme of things and introduced to the act of pitching, aided by the display of a sample video for a successful pitch. They were also urged to be accurate with facts and statistics in the process of drafting their pitches.

The Heads of the Department at Innov8 Hub and their respective units were introduced to the participants, who were subsequently assigned to work with different teams for the duration of the programme.

Participants went through courses on ‘Venture Creation within the Nigerian context’, ‘The Problem and Where do Good Ideas come from’, and concluded the day working with their respective teams.

RESEARCH FOR IMPACT 3.2 COMES TO A CLOSE AT INNOV8 HUB

On November 25th 2022, the Research for Impact workshop 3.2, initiated by TETFund in collaboration with Innov8 Hub, came to an end.

Over a 10-day period, members of academia from different Polytechnics in Nigeria were participants in the workshop. During the course of their stay, the lecturers went through the comprehensive process of converting research into prototype development. They selected challenges based on the SDGs and worked in teams to find solutions.

At the end of the workshop:

A Bio-Briquette Making Machine was created by TEAM Climate Action. It is a superior fuel substitute to firewood or charcoal that burns cleaner, longer, and more effectively.

An In-Situ Decision Support System was developed by TEAM End Hunger. The system allows farmers in both rural and urban areas to manage their crops effectively.

TEAM Infrastructure developed a Flood Warning System for the foresight and potential prevention of floods.

TEAM Good Health’s innovation ClosR, is a web-based application created for timely intervention in cases of drug or substance abuse among Nigerians, with a focus on the younger generation.  

The Executive Secretary of TETFund Architect Sony Echono, represented by the director of the E.S’ office Architect Uche Nwogu, praised the initiative under the guidance of the Executive Secretary. He also encouraged the participants to carry with them the innovation spirit back to their respective institutions.

Speaking on behalf of Innov8 Hub, His Excellency, Mr. Edward Singhatey was full of praise for the Research for impact initiative. He commended TETFund, congratulated the participants for being totally involved in the process, and also lauded Innov8 Hub staff for their role played throughout the workshop. At the close of the event, the R4i participants were presented with certificates, signaling the end of their workshop.

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