The Federal Government has unveiled Nigeria’s first Manu-Tech University Innovation Pod at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, with plans to establish similar innovation hubs across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
Inaugurating the facility, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said the initiative is aimed at bridging the gap between academic research and industry by promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, manufacturing and research commercialisation.
He explained that the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and was developed through a partnership involving the Federal Government, the United Nations Development Programme, Tertiary Education Trust Fund and the university.
According to the minister, the Innovation Pod will support research and product development in areas such as artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, agro-processing, digital design and entrepreneurship, while creating stronger links between universities and industry.
Alausa added that the Federal Government intends to replicate the initiative across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones to drive industrial growth, create jobs, strengthen local manufacturing and position tertiary institutions as centres of innovation and economic development.
