Vice President Kashim Shettima on Friday inaugurated the Mining Technology University Innovation Pod (Mine-Tech UniPod) at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
The initiative was established by the United Nations Development Programme in collaboration with the Federal Government to drive innovation and value addition in Nigeria’s mining sector.
The UniPod is a purpose-built space where young engineers, geoscientists, and entrepreneurs work alongside researchers and industry partners to develop solutions for Nigeria’s mining sector.
Represented by Dr Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, Shettima described the Mine-Tech UniPod as a landmark initiative that reflected the convergence of education, innovation, technology, industrialisation and national development.
According to him, the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places human capital development, innovation and youth empowerment at the centre of national transformation.
“Education is now being positioned as a strategic national investment for economic growth, job creation, technological advancement and global competitiveness,” he said.
The vice president said Nigeria had for decades exported raw materials while importing finished products at higher costs, thereby losing jobs, technology and economic opportunities.
He, however, noted that the country was now making a strategic transition from raw material export to industrial processing and innovation-driven growth.
Shettima said the Mine-Tech UniPod was timely as the global economy increasingly depended on critical minerals used in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, batteries, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing.
“Lithium, cobalt, graphite, tantalite and rare earth minerals have become central to the future of the global economy, and Nigeria is uniquely positioned to become a major driver of this transformation,” he said.
He added that Nigeria’s future prosperity would depend not only on natural resources but also on knowledge, technology, innovation and human capital development.
The vice president explained that the UniPod concept was designed to reimagine the university system by promoting interdisciplinary learning and practical problem-solving.
According to him, seven UniPods with specialised thematic areas have already been established across the country’s geopolitical zones.
“Already, seven UniPods have been established across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones with specialised thematic areas consisting of artificial intelligence that was commissioned a few weeks ago at the University of Lagos,” he said
He said the NSUK Mine-Tech UniPod would provide a platform for collaboration among students, researchers, mining professionals, entrepreneurs, environmental scientists, policymakers and investors.
Shettima identified the four core laboratories within the facility as the Mineral Intelligence Lab, Material and Processing Lab, Geospatial Innovation Studio, and the Green Mining and ESG Technology Hub.
“These facilities represent the future of interdisciplinary learning and innovation.
“They combine artificial intelligence, machine learning, material science, digital mapping, sustainability and environmental governance into a single ecosystem for industrial problem-solving,” he said.
Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State commended the initiative and pledged the state government’s support toward its sustainability.
Sule said the state government would provide a solar mini-grid to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the facility.
“Without providing power, the UniPod becomes less useful. We will provide the solar mini-grid that will sustain it,” he said.
Also, Mr Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Farouk Yabo, assured that the facility would be integrated into the ministry’s policies and programmes.
He urged students, innovators and researchers to maximise the opportunities provided by the UniPod to transform the nation’s solid minerals sector.
“I also urge our private sector to invest and continue to invest in innovation, particularly working with new ideas that will come out of this initiative,” he said.
In her remarks, Ms Elsie Attafuah, Resident Representative of the UNDP in Nigeria, said the initiative was aimed at building institutional capabilities for Nigeria to compete in future industries.
“It is about ensuring universities become active participants in industrial transformation.
“It is also about ensuring that Nigerian talent helps shape the future of critical minerals, advanced manufacturing and global energy transition,” she said.
Earlier, Prof. Sa’adatu Liman, the Vice Chancellor of NSUK, said the university’s strategic location in mineral-rich central Nigeria made it suitable for the initiative.
She said the UniPod would bridge the gap between academic research and industry demands.
“The UniPod is purpose-designed to be a space where the theoretical brilliance of students and faculty meets the practical demands of the industry,” she said.
Also speaking, the Director of the NSUK Mine-Tech UniPod, Dr Aisha Kana, said the innovation hub would bring together stakeholders across the mining value chain to co-create practical solutions.
Kana said the initiative would promote environmentally friendly mining practices and encourage research targeted at solving real industry problems.