The Research Exchange by TechQuest STEM Academy in collaboration with NitHub featured prominently at the Omniverse Africa Summit 2025. The Exchange brought together researchers, innovators, industry and government players and funding organizations together to foster collaboration and research applications. It was held over two days, a virtual prelude that held a week to the Summit and the onsite Exchange at the Omniverse Africa Summit.
The virtual Exchange hosted by Dr Itoro Emembolu, Director of TechQuest was held as a prelude to the summit and to accommodate for participation from across Africa and the diaspora. Research work was showcased by researchers including Dr Sherry Davies, President Association of Pan African Doctoral Scholar, USA, Dr Julius Ehigie, Senior Lecturer, UNILAG, Dr Kai Dupe, Associate Professor, Skagit Valley College, USA, Dr Folashade Dahunsi, Team Lead, Smart Systems Engineer, Dr Julio Hanson, Principal, Loyola Village Fine & Performing Arts Magnet, USA, Dr Calvin Bonds, Global Leadership Training Consultant.
Mr Oluwaseyi Ogidiolu, Technical Advisor, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, GIZ/ Digital Transformation Centre (DTC), Nigeria talked about the importance of research and its applications for economic growth. Dr Victor Odumuyiwa Ag. Director of NITDA IT hub and co-host encouraged participation and engagement at the Research exchange
Research Funding opportunities were also discussed at the virtual prelude. Dr Erik Hansalek, Head of Division, Corporation with Africa and Middle East, Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Germany spoke about the 150,000-Euros German-African Innovation Incentive Award (GAIIA), for selected innovative collaborations between African and German researchers. Mr. Kingsley Godwin, Programme Manager the Nigerian Impact Investing Research Industry Collaborative (NIIRIC) spoke about collaborations and some opportunities for consultants and research.
The second day of the Research Exchange was held at the Omniverse Africa Summit at the Landmark Events Centre. The Exchange featured discussions on research participants were involved in and how they could collaborate. There were also discussions on research commercialization, technology adoption, IP Management, funding opportunities and intersections between ESO’s and Research.
In attendance were Director-General National Research Institute for Chemical Technology NARICT, Dr Kabiru Mu’azu, Director-General Katsina Directorate of ICT. Mallam Naufal Ahmad, Vice Chancelor Enugu State University of Technology, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, Deputy Vice Chancelor Admin, Pan Atlantic University, Dr Peter Bamkole, Dr Philipp Kohn from University of Siegen, Germany, Dr Helen Emore, Founder Scientia Partners, Mr Makinde Joseph from Swipe, Dr Omolola Salako from Unilag, Mr Mamadou Djigo from Kakai SAS amongst others.
During the event, Engr. Charles Emembolu, Co-Convener of the Omniverse Summit, made an appearance an accompanied by Ambassador Gautier Mignot, European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Inga Stefanowicz, the head of Section, Delegation of the EU Ambassador to Nigeria & ECOWAS and Dr Thuweba Diwani, the Head of Projects, GIZ /Digital Transformation Centre, Nigeria.
The Exchange held in the Digital Transformation Room hosted by Premium partners GIZ / Digital Transformation Centre (DTC) Nigeria. The event provided a unique opportunity to advance research and innovation in Africa, offering valuable insights into current trends and facilitating collaboration. Other partners include Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE), Lagos State Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC), Genius Hub, Impact Investing Foundation, Leap Africa, Innov8, Block Capitol