The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, has urged Nigerian universities to move beyond theoretical research and convert their innovations into commercially viable products, describing the shift as essential for institutional sustainability and national development.

Barau made the call on Wednesday while receiving the management of North West University, Kano, led by its Vice Chancellor, Professor Amina Bayero, at the National Assembly in Abuja.

Drawing on the examples of leading global institutions, he challenged university administrators to adopt a model that links research outputs directly to industry and revenue generation.

"Do not leave innovations in laboratories or bookshelves. Patent them and create value from them. Top global institutions like Harvard, MIT and Cornell leverage research, collaborate with industries, and generate revenue through innovation. I encourage you to adopt this model," he stated.

The Senate Deputy President stressed that funding universities could not rest on government alone, noting that collective support from all stakeholders remained critical to institutional growth. "Maintaining and developing a university is not something that can be assured by just a single entity or person. It needs the assistance, intervention and cooperation of all," he added.

He also made a case for repositioning education as the primary driver of economic progress, arguing that human capital had overtaken natural resources as the most valuable factor of production.

"Human capital is the key driver of development globally. It is no longer about resources like petroleum or solid minerals. The number one factor of production in any nation is human capital," he disclosed.

Barau commended North West University for its growth since its establishment in 2012 and announced the donation of a coaster bus to the institution.

Earlier, Prof. Bayero, who assumed office as Vice Chancellor in December 2025, said the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration between the university and the office of the Deputy President of the Senate. She praised Barau's contributions to education through scholarship programmes, grants and infrastructure support for tertiary institutions across the country.

The Vice Chancellor disclosed that the university, which began with a single faculty, had since expanded to 10 faculties with a student population of about 30,000.