Shettima Unveils UNDP Mine-Tech UniPod At Nasarawa Varsity

Vice President Kassim Shettima on Friday, launched the Mining Technology and Resource Innovation University Innovation Pod (UniPod) at Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK).

Mine-Tech University Innovation Pod (UniPod), is a purpose-built space where young engineers, geoscientists, and entrepreneurs work alongside researchers and industry partners to develop solutions for Nigeria’s mining sector.

The UniPod project is an initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the federal government at the Nasarawa State University Keffi (NSUK), designed to capture value at every point in the mining chain.

Press reports that the event marks a significant milestone in the national UniPod rollout that began with the flagship AI UniPod at the University of Lagos in April 2026. With the NSUK Mining Technology UniPod now live, Nigeria’s university-led innovation infrastructure is now in the heart of its most mineral-rich region, turning decades of geological endowment into a platform for enterprise, research, and economic transformation.

Speaking at the launch, the vice president who was by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said the initiative aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda which placed human capital development, innovation, industrialization, and youth empowerment at the center of national transformation.

He said the reforms agenda, has repositioned education as a strategic national investment for economic growth, job creation, technological advancement, and global competitiveness, while describing the Mine-Tech UniPod as a landmark initiative that represents the convergence of education, innovation, technology, industrialization, and national development.

“For decades, we exported raw materials while importing finished products at a much higher value. We exported opportunities. We exported jobs, technology, and prosperity. But today, Nigeria is making a strategic shift from extraction to value addition, from raw material export to industrial processing, from dependence to innovation-driven growth.

“The Mine-Tech UniPod is therefore arriving at a very strategic moment in our nation’s national journey. The global economy is entering a new era, powered by critical minerals required to power electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, advanced manufacturing, batteries, semiconductors, and modern industrial technologies.

“Lithium, cobalt, graphite, cotton, tantalite, and rare earth minerals have become central to the future of our global economy. Nigerian state is uniquely positioned to become a major driver of this transformation,” the vice president said.

He said the Mine-Tech UniPod is especially significant because it creates a structured platform where students, researchers, mining professionals, environmental scientists, entrepreneurs, policy makers, and investors can collaborate to develop practical solutions for Nigeria’s mineral economy.

“I’m particularly impressed by the four core laboratories embedded within this UniPod. One, the Mineral Intelligence Lab. Two, the Material and Processing Lab. Three, the Geospatial Innovation Studio and four, the Green Mining and ESG Technology Hub,” he noted.

He commended the UNDP, NSUK and other partners for making the dream a reality.

Also speaking, Governor Sule commended the initiative which he said will revolutionise the mining sector.

He promised to provide the necessarily infrastructure especially power through solar mini-grid to support the initiative.

On his part, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Farouk Yabo, also praised the initiative.

He promised that the ministry would work towards integrating the effort in its policies to ensure sustainability.

The UNDP representatives, Ms Elise Attafuah, explained that the Mine-Tech UniPod is not simply about identifying minerals in the ground but about building the institution’s capabilities requires for Nigerians to compete in the industries of the future.

“It is ensuring universities become active participants industrial transformation. It is about ensuring that Nigerian talents help shape the future of critical minerals, advanced manufacturing and global energy transition.

“Ultimately it is about ensuring that made in Nigerian become associated with not only extraction but innovation, technology and value addition,” she said.

The Vice Chancellor, NSUK, Prof Sa’adatu Liman, said, “The UniPod is therefore purpose designed to be a space where the theoretical brilliance of students and faculty meets the practical demands of the industry.

“Here, geologists will work beside computer scientists, engineers beside entrepreneurs, and host communities beside policy makers.”