FG INAGURATES 1ST MANU-TECH UNIPOD AT MOUAU, ABIA STATE.

The Federal government has inaugurated the first Manufacturing Technology University Innovation Pod (Manu-Tech UniPod) at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State.

The landmark project is a joint venture of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), and the Abia State Government.

Speaking during the inauguration, the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, who was represented by the Minister of Education, Dr. OlaTunji Alausa said the establishment of the Manu-Tech UniPod expressed the Federal Government’s commitment to repositioning higher education as a catalyst for innovation, entrepreneurship, research commercialisation, and job creation.

While describing Manu-Tech UniPod as a “strategic investment in Nigeria’s future,” the Vice President noted that Universities must evolve beyond traditional teaching and research to become hubs for enterprise development, technology transfer, and industrial competitiveness.

Earlier in his address with the “Science Meets Enterprise,” Governor Alex Otti, said the citing of the UniPod in Abia speaks to the institutional confidence the UNDP and Federal Government have in the State’s potential as an engine of growth and economic prosperity in the region.

The Governor who explained that his government supported the UniPod project because it aligns perfectly with the economic development outline of his administration, noted that with the launch of the UniPod, a new interest in qualitative research will develop as scientists, students and everyone connected to the University ecosystem begin to look beyond random and hurried publication of academic papers just to score points for the next promotion cycle.

The Governor thanked the stakeholders and partners including the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund and the UNDP for their efforts and willpower that gave birth to the transformational project.

Also speaking the UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Director for Africa, Mrs. Ahunna Eziakonwa, extolled Governor Otti’s passion for education and development. She said that coming to Abia is homecoming and described the UniPod initiative as a practical demonstration of the United Nations’ commitment to touching lives through impactful development programmes.

The UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, described the launch as part of a broader national innovation ecosystem being developed across Nigeria through the UniPod initiative.

She explained that the programme aims to connect education, research, innovation, enterprise, and manufacturing, enabling Universities to become drivers of economic growth and global competitiveness.

Ms. Attafuah commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Federal Ministry of Education, TETFund, and the Abia State Government for their commitment to innovation-driven development.

Earlier in her speech, the Vice-Chancellor of MOUAU, Professor Ursala Akanwa, said the project represents the fulfilment of the institution’s mandate to deploy science, technology, and innovation in advancing agricultural development, manufacturing, and enterprise.