VP Shettima Unveils Mining Innovation Hub at NSUK, Backs Technology-Driven Economic Growth
By Roseline Okafor, Nasarawa.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has inaugurated a Mining Innovation Hub at Nasarawa State University (NSUK), emphasizing the role of technology in driving economic growth.
This initiative aligns with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on leveraging innovation to achieve a trillion-dollar economy.
Shettima highlighted the importance of digital innovation, stating it’s Nigeria’s fastest route to prosperity. He emphasized the government’s commitment to building a tech-driven economy, citing the success of Nigerian tech unicorns and the potential for growth in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and logistics
Represented by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, Vice President Shettima described the initiative as a bold step toward repositioning Nigerian universities as centres for innovation, industrial solutions, and economic transformation.
The Vice President also stressed the need for deep-tech innovation, moving beyond mere digital adoption to address national challenges, stating that the initiative is part of broader efforts to empower entrepreneurs, promote MSMEs, and drive inclusive economic growth.
The project, established through a partnership involving the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Federal Government, and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), is expected to strengthen technological advancement, enterprise development, research, and innovation within Nigeria’s mining sector.
He disclosed that seven specialised UniPods have already been established across the country, while the NSUK facility houses 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. This is exactly the type of university ecosystem Nigeria must build if we are serious about competing in the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” he added.
Earlier, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie G. Attafuah, described the Mine-Tech UniPod as a transformative initiative aimed at preparing Nigeria for the industries of the future.
She explained that the project goes beyond mining activities and focuses on building institutional capacity, innovation, enterprise development, and sustainable industrial systems.
According to her, the UniPod will support geospatial analytics, automation, mineral processing innovation, environmental technologies, and sustainable mining practices.
Attafuah noted that the initiative would help Nigeria shift from exporting raw minerals to building innovation, industrial processing, and enterprise development within the mining sector.
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State described the innovation hub as timely and strategic, assuring that the state government would provide a solar mini-grid to guarantee stable electricity supply for the facility.
The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny S.T. Echono, said the initiative would unlock the innovative and creative potential of Nigerian youths, noting that Nigerians have consistently excelled globally whenever given opportunities.
On her part, the Vice Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Prof. Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, described the institution as the ideal location for the project because of its long-standing strength in geology and mining sciences.
Prof. Liman stated that the Mine-Tech UniPod would position the university as a leading centre for mining research, innovation, and applied technology in Nigeria.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Princess Dr. Margaret Elayo, commended the establishment of the Mine-Tech UniPod, describing it as a major step toward promoting sustainable mining practices, environmental protection, and responsible resource management in the state.
“We are not merely commissioning a facility; we are opening a future where Nasarawa State University becomes the intellectual engine room of Nigeria’s mining renaissance,” she said.
The Mine-Tech UniPod is designed as an innovation space where engineers, geoscientists, entrepreneurs, researchers, and industry partners can collaborate to develop practical solutions for Nigeria’s mining industry.
The facility is expected to drive mineral processing innovation, safer extraction technologies, startup enterprise development, sustainable mining systems, and environmental management practices across the country.
The launch marks another milestone in Nigeria’s growing effort to position universities as drivers of national development, innovation, industrial competitiveness, and economic transformation.
