The Federal Government is establishing 41 University Innovation Pods (UniPods) across tertiary institutions as part of efforts to turn academic research and technological innovation into businesses, jobs and investment opportunities, Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has said.
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‎Alausa disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah. He said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s plan to move Nigeria from dependence on natural resources towards a knowledge-driven economy powered by education, technology, research and innovation.
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‎The minister explained that the UniPods were created to bridge the gap between research carried out in universities and its practical application. According to him, the centres are expected to help researchers develop marketable products, services and solutions rather than limiting their work to academic purposes.
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‎He said eight UniPods had either been commissioned or were ready for commissioning, while three were already functioning at the University of Lagos, Nasarawa State University and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
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‎Alausa identified some of the specialised centres as the Blue Economy UniPod in Akwa Ibom, AgroTech UniPod at Benue State University, Resilience Tech UniPod in Borno, GovTech UniPod at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and Industrial Tech UniPod in Plateau State.
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‎He stressed that the impact of the programme would not be judged by the buildings or equipment available at the centres, but by the businesses, jobs, innovations and economic opportunities they generate.
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‎The minister cited the MineTech UniPod at Nasarawa State University as an example, noting that researchers there had produced geospatial maps identifying deposits of lithium, gold and bauxite, including information on their locations and depths.
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‎He said such research could generate significant economic value if investors were properly connected with researchers and given clear channels for commercialising their discoveries.
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‎The Federal Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Tech4Dev, is working towards establishing about 41 UniPods in the coming years.
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‎Alausa said the government wanted the centres to develop into financially sustainable enterprises instead of relying indefinitely on grants. He added that the ministry and UNDP were developing a governance structure to guide their operations.
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‎Under the proposed arrangement, qualified centres would be allowed to operate commercial accounts in line with existing government regulations governing university research centres. Part of the revenue generated could be retained by the UniPods to support their operations, while another portion would be channelled into targeted technological development within their host universities.
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‎The minister assured that the education ministry would continue working with UNDP, Tech4Dev, universities and other stakeholders to build sustainable innovation centres capable of attracting investment, generating income and supporting economic development.
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‎He said the broader objective was to ensure that government spending on education, research and technology produced practical innovations, viable businesses, employment opportunities and highly skilled young Nigerians who could contribute to the country’s transition into a knowledge-based economy.
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‎Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmad, said the UniPods should serve as platforms for accelerating industrialisation and not merely function as academic facilities.
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‎Ahmad urged universities to give students and researchers greater exposure to industrial processes and commercialisation, saying innovative ideas should be developed into products, services and businesses that can contribute to national growth.
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‎She also called for students and researchers from other universities to be granted access to the UniPods, provided they meet the necessary requirements.
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‎The UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Elsie Attafuah, commended the initiative, describing it as part of efforts to position education as a driver of employment, innovation and competitiveness.
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‎Attafuah said the changing global economy required countries to develop their own wealth-creation capacity and competitive advantage. She described the UniPods as important tools for advancing Nigeria’s reform efforts, creating jobs and helping citizens maximise their potential.
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‎She added that UNDP was prepared to support South-South cooperation, including possible collaboration with India, while strengthening the UniPod network and assisting with governance, funding and long-term sustainability.
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‎The initiative, the stakeholders said, is ultimately aimed at turning university-based knowledge and research into commercially viable solutions that can create jobs, attract investment and strengthen Nigeria’s economy.