FG to establish 41 innovation hubs in Nigerian universities

The minister said the government would not judge the success of the initiative by the number of buildings constructed but by the innovations, businesses, jobs and solutions emerging from the facilities.

Alausa urged universities to rethink the traditional approach to academic research, stressing that discoveries made in laboratories should be developed into solutions that can address real-world challenges and generate economic value.

He said, “UniPods must turn research and innovation into jobs, investment, and real economic impact.”

The minister also called on tertiary institutions to move away from a system where research is primarily undertaken to meet academic promotion requirements and embrace a stronger culture of innovation and commercialisation.

The Federal Government expects the planned network of 41 innovation hubs to strengthen collaboration between universities, government, industry and development partners while providing researchers and young innovators with platforms to develop and commercialise new ideas.

The initiative forms part of broader efforts to reposition Nigeria’s tertiary education system as a major contributor to technological advancement, entrepreneurship and sustainable economic growth.