The Federal Government has called for stronger collaboration between Nigerian universities and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to turn academic research and innovations into commercial products, businesses and jobs.
Maruf Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, made the call during a presentation to vice-chancellors, directors of academic affairs, directors of postgraduate studies and officials of the Federal Ministry of Education’s Directorate of University Education on the proposed NASENI Campus initiative.
According to a statement signed by Ikharo Attah, Special Adviser (Media and Communications), Alausa said the partnership would help close the persistent gap between research institutions and the marketplace by connecting researchers with advanced laboratories, prototyping facilities, industries and investors.
According to him, Nigeria must deliberately move from research to commercialisation if the country is to derive greater economic value from its human capital.
He said research outputs should not end as academic publications or laboratory prototypes but should be developed into patented inventions, marketable products and viable businesses.
