- Alausa Challenges NASENI to Connect University Research With Investors
- Wants Nigerian Research to Produce Businesses, Jobs
- Alausa Pushes University-NASENI Partnership to Commercialise Research
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has urged Nigerian universities and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to do more to turn academic research into businesses, jobs and practical solutions.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Alausa made the call while speaking to Vice-Chancellors, Directors of Academic Affairs, Directors of Postgraduate Studies and officials of the Federal Ministry of Education’s Directorate of University Education on the proposed NASENI Campus partnership with universities.
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He said the initiative would help connect university researchers with advanced laboratories, prototyping facilities, industries and investors, making it easier for ideas developed in universities to reach the marketplace.
The minister said research should not end with academic publications or prototypes, stressing that Nigerian researchers should be supported to patent their inventions, develop marketable products and work with investors to establish companies.
According to him, Nigeria must deliberately move from research to commercialisation if the country is to fully benefit from its human capital.
Alausa also urged NASENI to strengthen its partnerships with universities located around its development centres, noting that universities have a large pool of researchers, lecturers and students whose expertise could support the agency’s work.
He further encouraged NASENI to explore opportunities in lithium processing and battery manufacturing as Nigeria expands its renewable energy and industrial sectors.
Earlier, NASENI’s EVC/CEO, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, said the agency was working to bridge the gap between research and production in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to move innovations beyond prototypes.
He said the proposed NASENI Campus, located within a 100-hectare free trade zone, would bring researchers, professors, industries, prototyping facilities and commercialisation opportunities together.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, said the university’s partnership with NASENI had already produced facilities including an agriculture incubation centre, greenhouse facilities, automated poultry systems and tissue culture laboratories.
Similarly, the Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, Prof. Haruna Musa, said the university was exploring further collaboration with NASENI in areas including nanotechnology, vaccinology, toxinology and mathematical modelling.
He disclosed that two BUK research projects, including a reusable sanitary pad and sweet potato-based starch derivatives, had reached the final stage of NASENI’s research commercialisation grant process.
Alausa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to working with NASENI, universities and other stakeholders to create a clear path from research and innovation to investment, production and job creation.
He said the goal was to ensure that Nigeria’s knowledge and innovations translate into products, businesses, jobs and sustainable prosperity.
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