Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has stated that President Bola Tinubu is spearheading a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria's education sector. The goal is to shift the nation from a project-based economy to one driven by knowledge and innovation.
Speaking with journalists on Friday during the inauguration of the Mine-Tech University Innovation Pod (Mine-Tech UniPod) at Nasarawa State University, Dr Alausa disclosed that the project was funded through a $2 million grant from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with additional support from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
He revealed that some samples were taken from various parts of the country for laboratory testing. He emphasized that "The sample from the Niger Delta is more laden with gas than petrol. And the sample here, you have more hydrocarbon as part of it."
Dr Alausa said President Tinubu is making substantial investments in education because he believes the sector is the bedrock of national development. Such investments are crucial for economic growth and job creation. He assured that the government would support the facility to ensure sustainable funding and commercialization of its products.
"We are also going to discuss how we can make several of these centers Centres of Excellence. We don't need to build each of these in every state of the Federation. That is how we can build capacity," he stated.
He urged young people to embrace innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, noting that the country's future depends largely on their ability to develop practical solutions to national challenges. According to him, the government is committed to creating an enabling environment where students and researchers can turn ideas into commercially viable products and services.
Alausa added that Nigeria possesses enormous mineral and intellectual resources that must be harnessed through science, research, and technology-driven education. He maintained that institutions of higher learning should no longer function only as centers for awarding certificates, but as engines for industrial development, innovation, and wealth creation.
The minister also commended the collaboration between the Federal Government, development partners, and academic institutions in advancing research and technological development in the country. He expressed optimism that the Mine-Tech UniPod would serve as a model for similar innovation hubs across Nigeria's tertiary institutions, particularly in sectors critical to economic diversification and national development.
The Mine-Tech UniPod is expected to provide researchers, students, and entrepreneurs with access to modern laboratories, innovation support systems, and opportunities for product development in the mining and technology sectors. Stakeholders at the event described the initiative as a significant step toward strengthening local capacity in mineral exploration, processing, and value addition.
