Shettima to flag-off Nigeria’s first UNIPOD at UNILAG

Kashim Shettima, the vice president of Nigeria will on Tuesday, April 7, formally flag-off of Nigeria’s first University Innovation Pods (UNIPOD) at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka.

The University Innovation Pods is an initiative of the United Nations Development no Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the federal government of Nigeria, which is aimed to reconfigure the country’s development architecture to transform universities into engines of innovation and enterprise creation, among other objectives.

Ibrahim Hadejia, the deputy chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu made this known during a news conference in Abuja, when he said the UNIPOD initiative “underscores the federal government’s commitment to repositioning our universities as drivers of economic growth, innovation, and enterprise development, addressing the disconnect between formal education and labour market outcomes.

“The UniPods are designed to address this by providing structured platforms within our universities where ideas can be developed, tested, financed, and translated into viable enterprises for societal impact and economic development.

“The initiative is not merely an infrastructure intervention but a deliberate step towards building a coherent national innovation system – one that links talent, research, industry, and investment in a more purposeful manner,” he said.

Besides, Hadejia emphasised that the rollout will commence with the University of Lagos Artificial Intelligence Pod, with additional UniPods to follow in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Nasarawa, Benue, and Borno States.

Speaking more on the implementation model, he disclosed that the interventions under the programme are central to the government’s efforts to harness the potential of Nigeria’s youth population by embedding innovation and enterprise within the university environment, where students and researchers will have access to the skills, tools, mentorship, and financing required to develop practical solutions and build scalable ventures.

Elsie Attafuah, the UNDP Nigeria resident representative, said Nigeria is the first country in Africa to take the UniPods model to scale through direct government investment.

Moreover, Attafuah said, the planned flag-off positions Nigeria as a continental leader in building a knowledge-driven economy.

The UNDP Nigeria resident representative, further noted that, aside from UNILAG, a series of UniPod launches will take place across the country, including: Nasarawa State University, Keffi (Mining Technology); University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom (Green and Blue Economy); Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike-Umuahia (Manufacturing and Trade); Benue State University, Makurdi (Agriculture and Food Systems); and the University of Maiduguri (Resilience and Recovery).

In addition, Attafuah said, these hubs are already established, equipped, and ready for activation, with energy solutions, connectivity, and operational teams in place.

“Together, they form the first cohort of a national innovation network spanning all geopolitical zones,” she said.

She explained that, with over 220 million people, more than 60 percent of whom are under the age of 25, the country holds one of the most powerful demographic assets globally.

She said the UniPods will be fully operationalised under the National Innovation and Digital Transformation Partnership Programme (NIDTPP), a joint platform between UNDP and TETFund designed, among other interventions, to transform public investments into living innovation ecosystems.

“Through the expanded national investment case, Nigeria aims to scale to over 50 universities nationwide; reach over 500,000 learners with advanced digital and AI skills; support 1,500–2,000 startups and student ventures; and unlock large-scale job creation and enterprise growth.”

These interventions, according to her, will position Nigeria as a hub for digital talent, a leader in AI and innovation ecosystems, and a driver of industrial and economic transformation in Africa.

She expressed deep appreciation to Nigeria’s vice president for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing human capital development, innovation, digital transformation, and economic diversification under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,