As part of efforts to move Nigeria from exporting raw minerals to building a technology-driven mining economy, the Federal Government has launched the Mine-Tech University Innovation Pod at Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
Speaking at the unveiling of the innovation hub, Vice President Kashim Shettima described the Mine-Tech UniPod as a strategic intervention aimed at linking education, research, enterprise and industrialisation.
Represented by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Vice President said the initiative reflects President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on human capital development, innovation and youth empowerment.
He noted that despite Nigeria’s over 44 commercially viable minerals valued at more than one trillion dollars, the solid minerals sector has continued to perform below its full potential.
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule in his remarks described the facility as a timely intervention that would position the state as a major hub for mining innovation and technology-driven industrial development in Nigeria.
On his part, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, said an additional 20 UniPods would be established across the country before the end of the year to further strengthen innovation and enterprise development in Nigerian universities.
The Mine-Tech UniPod, powered by the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP Nigeria, and supported by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, is designed to drive innovation in minerals development.
The facility features a specialised laboratory, prototyping space and technology transfer office to support students, researchers and innovators.
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