Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has stated that President Bola Tinubu is spearheading a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria's education system to transition the nation from a project-based economy to one driven by knowledge and innovation.
Speaking to journalists on Friday during the launch of the Mine-Tech University Innovation Pod (Mine-Tech UniPod) at Nasarawa State University, Alausa disclosed that the initiative was financed through a $2 million grant from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with additional backing from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
He revealed that some samples collected from various regions of the country were being tested in the laboratory, noting that "the sample from Niger Delta is more laden with gas than petrol. And the sample here, you have more hydrocarbon as part of it."
Alausa emphasized that Tinubu is making substantial investments in education because he views the sector as the bedrock of national development. These investments, he added, are essential for economic growth and job creation. He assured that the government would ensure sustainable funding for the facility and support the commercialization of its products.
"We're also going to discuss how we can establish several of these Centers of Excellence. We don't need to build each of these in every state of the federation. That's how we can build capacity," he said.
He urged young people to embrace innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, stating that the country's future hinges on their ability to develop practical solutions to national challenges. According to him, the government is committed to creating an environment where students and researchers can turn ideas into commercially viable products and services.
Stakeholders at the event described the initiative as a major step toward strengthening local capacity in mineral exploration, processing, and value addition.
