By Peter Okore, Umuahia
Vice President Kashim Shettima has charged Nigerian universities to move beyond their traditional roles of teaching and research and become centres for innovation, enterprise development, technology transfer and industrial competitiveness.
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), Abia State.
Represented by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, the Vice President said the establishment of the UniPod underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to repositioning higher education as a driver of innovation, entrepreneurship, research commercialisation and job creation.
He described the project, a collaboration involving the Federal Government, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the Abia State Government, as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future.
According to him, the Manu-Tech UniPod will provide students, researchers and entrepreneurs with access to advanced manufacturing equipment, prototyping facilities and industry mentorship to transform research ideas into commercially viable products.
Also speaking at the event, Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, said the location of the facility in Abia reflects the confidence of the Federal Government and the UNDP in the state’s potential to become a major hub for industrial and economic growth.
Delivering a keynote address titled “Science Meets Enterprise,” Otti said the project aligns with his administration’s economic development agenda and would encourage researchers to focus on practical innovations capable of solving real-life problems.
“With the launch of the UniPod, a new interest in qualitative research will emerge as scientists, students and other stakeholders within the university ecosystem begin to look beyond hurried academic publications aimed solely at career advancement,” the governor said.
He added that future research efforts should be directed toward developing practical solutions with direct applications to everyday challenges.
Otti thanked the Federal Government, TETFund and the UNDP for supporting the initiative, describing them as dependable development partners.
According to him, the state has, over the past three years, maintained productive partnerships with the organisations on projects aimed at entrepreneurship development, job creation and expanding economic opportunities, particularly for young people and women.
The United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Director for Africa, Mrs. Ahunna Eziakonwa, commended Governor Otti’s commitment to education and development, describing the UniPod as a practical demonstration of the UN’s efforts to improve lives through sustainable development initiatives.
She also praised the governor for what she described as significant progress recorded in the education sector over the past three years.
The UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, said the Manu-Tech UniPod forms part of a broader national innovation ecosystem designed to strengthen the link between education, research, innovation, enterprise and manufacturing.
She explained that the initiative seeks to transform Nigerian universities into engines of economic growth and global competitiveness.
Attafuah commended President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Federal Ministry of Education, TETFund and the Abia State Government for their support for innovation-driven development.
She also applauded Governor Otti for his vision of positioning Abia as a leading centre for manufacturing and industrial innovation in Nigeria.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Prof. Ursula Akanwa, described the inauguration as a landmark achievement in the institution’s history.
She said the project represents the fulfilment of the university’s mandate to leverage science, technology and innovation to advance agriculture, manufacturing and enterprise development.
Akanwa expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Education, UNDP, TETFund and the Abia State Government for selecting MOUAU to host Nigeria’s first Manufacturing Technology University Innovation Pod.