The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, has challenged Nigerian universities and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to move beyond academic research and turn innovations into businesses, jobs and practical solutions capable of driving Nigeria towards a $1 trillion economy.

Alausa made the call while addressing Vice-Chancellors, Directors of Academic Affairs, Directors of Postgraduate Studies and officials of the Federal Ministry of Education’s Directorate of University Education on opportunities for universities to partner with NASENI through the proposed NASENI Campus.

The Minister said the initiative could provide a critical bridge between university researchers and the marketplace by giving innovators access to advanced laboratories, prototyping facilities, industries and investment opportunities.

He stressed that research should not end with academic publications or prototypes, arguing that Nigeria must deliberately build a system that enables researchers to patent their inventions, develop marketable products and attract investors to establish viable companies.

Drawing lessons from the innovation ecosystem around Cambridge, Massachusetts, Alausa said Nigeria could achieve similar results by creating stronger links between universities, research institutions, investors and industry.

According to him, converting knowledge and research into commercial ventures would enable the country to transform its abundant human capital into economic prosperity and sustainable development.

The Minister consequently urged NASENI to strengthen affiliations with universities around its development centres, noting that the institutions have a large pool of researchers, lecturers and students whose expertise could complement the agency’s technological and industrial initiatives.

He also called on NASENI to support researchers in patenting their inventions, facilitate access to venture capital and encourage the establishment of university spin-off companies. He specifically urged the agency to explore opportunities in lithium processing and battery manufacturing as Nigeria expands its renewable energy and industrial capabilities.

Earlier, NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, outlined the agency’s efforts to bridge the gap between research and production in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to ensure that innovations move beyond prototypes to actual production.

Halilu said the proposed NASENI Campus, situated within a 100-hectare free trade zone, is being developed as an integrated ecosystem where researchers, professors, prototyping facilities, industries and commercialisation opportunities can operate side by side.

He disclosed that several factories and industrial facilities had already been established within the zone as part of efforts to create a functional research-to-production ecosystem.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, said the university’s existing partnership with NASENI demonstrated the potential of the model being promoted by the Minister.

According to him, the collaboration has produced facilities including an integrated agriculture incubation centre, greenhouse facilities, automated poultry systems and tissue culture laboratories supporting undergraduate and postgraduate research.

Fawehinmi said the university was prepared to deepen its partnership with NASENI, particularly in areas such as dairy science and renewable energy.

Similarly, the Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, Prof. Haruna Musa, disclosed that the institution was exploring broader collaboration with NASENI in nanotechnology, vaccinology, toxinology and mathematical modelling.

He said two BUK research projects had reached the final stage of NASENI’s research commercialisation grant process. The projects include a reusable sanitary pad initiative and the commercial production of sweet potato-based starch derivatives.

Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to building a functional research-to-commercialisation ecosystem, Alausa said the Ministry would continue to work with NASENI, universities and other stakeholders to connect research and innovation with investment, production and job creation.

He said the ultimate objective of the Renewed Hope Agenda was not merely to increase the volume of research produced in Nigeria, but to ensure that the country’s knowledge, skills and innovations translate into products, enterprises, jobs and sustainable prosperity for Nigerians.