Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on Nigerian universities to reposition themselves as centres of innovation, entrepreneurship and industrial development, saying higher institutions must play a more active role in driving the country's economic transformation.
Shettima made the call on Monday at the inauguration of Nigeria's first Manufacturing Technology University Innovation Pod (Manu-Tech UniPod) at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), in Abia State.
Represented by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, the Vice President said the Federal Government was committed to transforming universities into institutions that not only generate knowledge but also convert research into commercially viable products and businesses.
According to him, the establishment of the Manu-Tech UniPod reflects the government's determination to promote innovation, research commercialisation, technology transfer and job creation through higher education.
He explained that the project is a collaborative initiative involving the Federal Government, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the Abia State Government.
Shettima described the facility as a strategic investment that will equip students, researchers and entrepreneurs with modern manufacturing equipment, prototype development facilities and mentorship to accelerate innovation and industrial production.
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, said the choice of Abia as the location for Nigeria's first Manu-Tech UniPod was an endorsement of the state's growing reputation as a destination for innovation and economic development.
Delivering a keynote address entitled "Science Meets Enterprise," the governor said the facility would transform the culture of research by encouraging scholars to focus on innovations capable of addressing practical societal and industrial challenges.
He noted that the initiative aligns with his administration's vision of building a knowledge-driven economy anchored on technology, entrepreneurship and manufacturing.
Otti expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, UNDP and TETFund for partnering with the state on the project, describing them as dependable collaborators in efforts to create jobs and expand opportunities for young people.
He added that the project would stimulate qualitative research and reduce the emphasis on academic publications undertaken merely for promotion purposes.
The United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Director for Africa, Mrs. Ahunna Eziakonwa, described the project as another demonstration of the UN's commitment to supporting sustainable development across Africa.
She commended Governor Otti for prioritising education and innovation, saying the progress recorded by the state over the past three years had attracted international recognition.
Also speaking, the UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, said the UniPod initiative is part of a nationwide strategy to connect education, research, innovation and manufacturing to strengthen Nigeria's competitiveness.
She said the programme is designed to help universities become innovation hubs capable of producing solutions for national development while supporting enterprise growth.
Attafuah applauded President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Federal Ministry of Education, TETFund and the Abia State Government for supporting the initiative, while describing Governor Otti's industrialisation agenda as forward-looking.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Prof. Ursula Akanwa, described the inauguration as a landmark achievement for the institution.
She said hosting the country's first Manufacturing Technology University Innovation Pod reinforces the university's commitment to advancing science, technology and innovation in agriculture, manufacturing and enterprise development.
Akanwa thanked the Federal Government, TETFund, the Federal Ministry of Education, UNDP and the Abia State Government for selecting the institution to host the pioneering facility, expressing confidence that it would foster innovation and strengthen research with real economic impact.
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