By Adeola Kunle
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, has called on Nigerian universities and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to transform academic research into businesses, employment opportunities and practical innovations capable of driving Nigeria’s ambition of becoming a $1 trillion economy.
Speaking during a presentation to Vice-Chancellors, Directors of Academic Affairs, Directors of Postgraduate Studies and officials of the Federal Ministry of Education’s Directorate of University Education, Dr. Alausa highlighted the opportunities available through the proposed NASENI Campus initiative. He explained that the project is designed to connect researchers with advanced laboratories, prototyping facilities, industries and investors, creating a clear pathway for innovative ideas to move from research laboratories into commercial markets.
The Minister stressed that Nigeria must intentionally shift its focus from producing research papers to commercialising research outcomes. According to him, academic discoveries should not remain as publications or prototypes but should be patented, developed into market-ready products and supported with investments that will lead to the establishment of successful companies.
Drawing inspiration from the innovation ecosystem in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Dr. Alausa noted that Nigeria has the human capital needed to compete globally if researchers are given the right support to convert ideas into viable enterprises. He added that this approach would help transform the country’s intellectual resources into sustainable national development.
To achieve this goal, the Minister urged NASENI to deepen its collaboration with universities located around its development centres. He explained that Nigerian universities have a large pool of researchers, lecturers and students whose expertise can support the agency’s innovation drive.
He also encouraged NASENI to provide support for patent registration, facilitate access to venture capital and promote the establishment of spin-off companies emerging from university research. In addition, Dr. Alausa challenged the agency to explore opportunities in lithium processing and battery manufacturing as Nigeria expands its renewable energy and industrial sectors.
Earlier, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, outlined the agency’s ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between research and industrial production. He said the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive that Nigerian innovations should move beyond prototypes to full-scale production.
Halilu explained that the proposed NASENI Campus, situated within a 100-hectare Free Trade Zone, is being developed as a complete innovation ecosystem where researchers, universities, industries, prototyping facilities and commercialisation opportunities can operate together. He revealed that several factories and industrial facilities have already been established within the zone.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, described the institution’s existing partnership with NASENI as evidence that the model can deliver meaningful results. He said the collaboration has led to the development of facilities such as an integrated agriculture incubation centre, greenhouse systems, automated poultry facilities and tissue culture laboratories that support both undergraduate and postgraduate research.
Professor Fawehinmi added that the university is prepared to expand its partnership with NASENI into new areas, including dairy science and renewable energy.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, Professor Haruna Musa, said the university is pursuing broader collaboration with NASENI in fields such as nanotechnology, vaccinology, toxinology and mathematical modelling.
He disclosed that two research projects from Bayero University have reached the final stage of NASENI’s research commercialisation grant programme. The projects include the production of reusable sanitary pads and the commercial manufacturing of starch derivatives from sweet potatoes.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment, Dr. Alausa assured stakeholders that the Ministry of Education will continue working closely with NASENI, universities and industry partners to establish a sustainable system that links research, innovation, investment, production and job creation.
He emphasised that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the goal is not merely to increase research output but to ensure that Nigerian knowledge, skills and innovations are converted into products, thriving businesses, employment opportunities and long-term national prosperity.
Adeola Kunle
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