The Federal Government has unveiled a specialised mining technology innovation hub at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, as part of efforts to transform Nigerian universities into centres for industrial research, enterprise development, and technology-driven economic growth.
The facility, known as the Mine-Tech UniPod, was inaugurated on Friday by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, who represented Vice President Kashim Shettima at the event.
According to the Federal Ministry of Education, the project was developed through a partnership involving the ministry, the United Nations Development Programme, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), and the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
READ RELATED NEWS UPDATES
FG bars honorary degree holders from using ‘Dr’ title
Shorinwa backs ‘Education Is Not a Scam’ youth campaign
Nasarawa LG delegation pays solidarity visit to Kwankwaso in Kano
The government said the initiative is designed to strengthen research commercialisation and industrial innovation within Nigeria’s mining sector while improving collaboration between universities and industry players.
Speaking at the launch, Alausa described the facility as a strategic intervention aimed at repositioning universities beyond conventional teaching roles into innovation ecosystems capable of producing industrial solutions and globally competitive talent.
He said Nigeria’s mineral resources could only deliver sustainable economic value through local processing, value addition, and technology-driven industrialisation.
The Mine-Tech UniPod houses laboratories dedicated to mineral intelligence, materials processing, geospatial innovation, and green mining technologies. The facility also integrates artificial intelligence, digital mapping systems, and sustainability tools into research and industrial problem-solving.
The Federal Government said the project forms part of a broader plan to establish similar innovation hubs across the country to deepen skills development and expand research-based enterprise opportunities.
The initiative is expected to support the development of technology solutions tailored to challenges within the mining industry while creating opportunities for students, researchers, and entrepreneurs.
The unveiling comes about at the time of growing calls for stronger university-industry collaboration and increased investment in applied research to stimulate economic diversification and reduce dependence on raw mineral exports.
For More Details, Visit New Daily Prime News
