The Federal government is set to establish 41 development centers, called UniPods, in universities and other tertiary organizations across the country as part of efforts to strengthen research, technology and entrepreneurship.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, divulged this in a declaration on Wednesday after consulting with representatives of the United Nations Development Programme and vice-chancellors from seven universities involved in the UNDP Development Hub effort.
Alausa stated the programme was created to ensure that research study conducted in Nigerian universities moves beyond academic publications and contributes straight to financial advancement.
According to him, the centers are expected to help transform research study findings into commercially feasible services and products, create job opportunity and bring in investment.
The minister connected the effort to President Bola Tinubu’s aspiration of growing Nigeria into a $1tn economy, noting that the nation would need to maximise its human capital, technological capability and research study capacity to accomplish the target.
He divulged that 8 UniPods had actually either been finished or were at the stage of inauguration, with 3 already operational at the University of Lagos, Nasarawa State University and Michael Okpara University of Farming, Umudike.
The initiative is also being tailored to attend to the financial and developmental needs of various regions.
Amongst the specialised hubs are heaven Economy UniPod in Akwa Ibom State, AgroTech at Benue State University, Durability Tech in Borno State, GovTech at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and Industrial Tech in Plateau State.
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The minister stated the federal government would not judge the success of the effort by the variety of buildings built however by the innovations, services, tasks and options emerging from the facilities.
Alausa prompted universities to rethink the standard technique to scholastic research, worrying that discoveries made in laboratories should be become solutions that can address real-world obstacles and create financial value.
He said, “UniPods need to turn research study and innovation into tasks, investment, and genuine economic effect.”
The minister likewise called on tertiary institutions to move far from a system where research study is mostly undertaken to satisfy academic promotion requirements and accept a more powerful culture of development and commercialisation.
The Federal Government anticipates the scheduled network of 41 development centers to enhance cooperation between universities, government, industry and advancement partners while offering scientists and young innovators with platforms to establish and commercialise new ideas.
The effort forms part of wider efforts to reposition Nigeria’s tertiary education system as a major contributor to technological advancement, entrepreneurship and sustainable economic development.