In a groundbreaking achievement, researchers from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) have unveiled an innovative solution to reduce maternal mortality rate.
The milestone marked the culmination of their training programme on research commercialisation, an initiative that began with a TETFund research grant.
The showcase occurred at the maiden edition of the TETFund National Research Fair and Exhibition, a week-long event that began on Monday, November 18, 2024 at Eagle Square, Abuja.
The event also served as a graduation ceremony for the researchers, recognizing their successful transition from academia to impactful innovation.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, in his remarks, highlighted the fair's objective: to domesticate local research results, create jobs, generate income, and ultimately contribute to economic development.
Alausa called on Nigerian tertiary institutions to pursue research and innovation that are practical and effective in addressing the country’s pressing challenges.
NOUN’s project, led by Dr. Musa Runde from the Faculty of Sciences, brought together a multidisciplinary team of experts: Mrs. Olokoba Eunice Opeyemi from Health Sciences, Dr. Adaobi Mark Osigbo from Management Sciences, and an Artificial Intelligence specialist, Mr. Oyewale Oyelami from Mathematics.
Their collaborative effort focused on a life-saving solution to combat postpartum hemorrhage, a leading cause of maternal mortality.
Reflecting on the project’s journey, Dr. Runde shared that it began with a proposal to undergo rigorous training and to transform the product into a market-ready one, as going from the lab to market was their mission.
“The training exposed us to the challenges of commercialisation, product development, and pitching, ensuring our research could make a real-life impact, especially in vulnerable communities,” he explained.
Runde described the innovation, an advanced adsorbent technology, as a safe, user-friendly solution for preventing postpartum hemorrhage.
He added that maternal health crises demand urgent solutions, and the product embodies the team's commitment to addressing these challenges.
The team's leader also underscored the importance of research commercialisation in achieving financial autonomy for Nigerian universities.
“Autonomy isn’t just about governance; it’s about sustainability. By commercialising research, universities can generate revenue without overburdening students with higher tuition,” he noted.
He advocated for the establishment of a dedicated innovation centre at NOUN, modeled after similar facilities he observed in Senegal, as such a centre, he argued, would foster groundbreaking research and ensure the commercialisation of products capable of transforming industries and saving lives.
Prof. Sami Ayodele, Director of the Directorate of Research Administration at NOUN, praised the team for their outstanding achievement, calling their innovation one of the best health solutions at the fair.
“This is no ordinary innovation. It’s a testament to the collaborative strength of our faculties and the commitment of our researchers to addressing real-world problems,” he said.
The director urged NOUN to retain ownership of the product and fast-track its commercialisation, emphasising that the innovation elevates the university’s profile and sets a new benchmark for academic excellence.
“The TET Fair marks not only the graduation of our researchers but also the beginning of a new chapter in NOUN’s research agenda,” Prof. Ayodele added.
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