The Federal Government has inaugurated the MineTech University Innovation Pod at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, as part of a broader drive to transform Nigeria's mining sector from a raw mineral export industry into a technology driven, innovation led economy.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented at the event by Minister of Education Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed that the facility was developed with support from the United Nations Development Programme and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, with a $2 million grant from UNDP forming a significant part of the funding.

Shettima noted that Nigeria holds more than 44 commercially viable minerals valued at over $1 trillion, yet the solid minerals sector has continued to perform below its actual potential. He said the global demand for critical minerals used in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing had created fresh opportunities for mineral rich nations, adding that Nasarawa State was strategically placed given its deposits of lithium, tantalite, gemstone and lead zinc resources.

"The MineTech UniPod is designed to serve as a platform where students, researchers, mining professionals, investors and environmental experts can collaborate on practical innovations that support Nigeria's mineral economy," he stated.

Dr Alausa said President Bola Tinubu was making significant investments in education because he regarded the sector as the foundation of national development. He added that universities must go beyond certificate awarding and function as engines for industrial growth, innovation and wealth creation.

The minister revealed that samples collected from several parts of the country had been tested at the facility's laboratory. "The sample from the Niger Delta is more laden with gas than petrol. And the sample here, you have more hydrocarbon as part of it," he noted.

Alausa also confirmed that the government would pursue sustainable funding and commercialisation of products emerging from the facility. "We don't need to build each of these in each state of the Federation. That's how we can build capacity," he said, adding that select facilities would be upgraded to Centres of Excellence.

The MineTech UniPod houses four specialised laboratories: the Mineral Intelligence Laboratory, Materials and Processing Laboratory, Geo Spatial Innovation Studio and the Green Mining and ESG Technology Hub. It is the seventh UniPod established nationwide, with thematic areas spanning Artificial Intelligence, Agriculture, Manufacturing and Trade, Industrial Technology, Resilience Technology, and Green and Blue Technology.

Shettima disclosed that 160,000 Nigerian youths are currently undergoing training across 1,200 Technical and Vocational Education and Training centres nationwide, with plans to train an additional 100,000 youths in the coming months. He added that the portal reopening for the TVET programme attracted more than one million applications.

Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule confirmed that the state government would provide a solar mini grid to guarantee a stable electricity supply for the facility, and called on investors and private sector stakeholders to engage the innovation ecosystem being developed through the initiative.