The Federal Government has announced plans to establish 41 University Innovation Pods (UniPods) across tertiary institutions as part of efforts to transition Nigeria from a resource-based to a knowledge-driven economy.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday following a meeting with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and seven university vice-chancellors on the sustainability and future of the UNDP Innovation Hubs.
Alausa explained that the UniPods are designed to move research and innovation beyond academic publications and translate discoveries into commercial enterprises, job creation and measurable economic impact.
He noted that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision to build a $1 trillion economy, stressing that education, technology and research are critical drivers for achieving the target.
According to the minister, eight UniPods have either been inaugurated or are ready for inauguration, with three already operational at the University of Lagos, Nasarawa State University, and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
Specialised hubs already identified include the Blue Economy UniPod in Akwa Ibom State, AgroTech at Benue State University, Resilience Tech in Borno State, GovTech at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and Industrial Tech in Plateau State.
Alausa emphasised that the success of the initiative will be measured by the practical solutions, businesses and economic value generated rather than by the physical structures alone.
“UniPods must turn research and innovation into jobs, investment, and real economic impact,” the minister said. He urged tertiary institutions to shift from a research culture driven primarily by academic promotion to one focused on commercialising laboratory discoveries.
The Federal Ministry of Education, in partnership with UNDP and Tech4Dev, is working towards establishing the full network of about 41 UniPods in the coming years. The government has already reduced initial risks by providing infrastructure, equipment and technical capacity, with the next priority being the attraction of private investment and commercialisation.
Alausa added that the centres must evolve into financially sustainable enterprises capable of generating revenue, supporting their host universities and attracting skilled personnel, rather than remaining dependent on grants.
Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, described the UniPods as instruments for accelerating Nigeria’s industrialisation and called for wider access so that students and researchers from institutions outside the host universities can benefit.
UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Elsie Attafuah, commended the initiative, noting that the UniPods would help advance Nigeria’s reform agenda, create jobs and unlock citizens’ potential.