FG to establish over 24 innovation centres in Nigeria

Tahir Mamman, the minister of education, says the federal government will establish over 24 skills and innovation hubs across the country.

The minister, who dropped the hint, spoke when he paid a visit to Innov8 Hub, alongside critical stakeholders, including Sonny Echono, the executive secretary of The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

The minister said the goal of creating those centres is to boost potential and productivity among Nigerians.

Innov8 is a hub for start-up incubation, technology transfer, knowledge and skill impartation, and prototype development.

TETFund is currently partnering with Innov8 Hub to facilitate practical training and mentorship for Nigerian youths and academics.

The fund had earlier said it was aiming to produce more employable graduates and boost research.

Speaking during the visit, the minister said the fund will establish 24 skills centres across the country to afford all Nigerians equal opportunities wherever they are.

“What I have seen here is a place that gives hope to the young ones who have the ideas, who have a disposition to acquire basic skills that they need to move on and have a decent livelihood,” Mamman said.

“What I have seen here is a major source of inspiration and we are going to work with the sector as they are already doing with TETFund. We want to be grateful to TETfund for this relationship.

“This place is owned by a private person but working closely with one of the government agencies in the education sector that is supplying the learners and the researchers to come here and undertake very practical impactful research.”

The minister promised that the government will ensure to bridge the gap between researchers and the industries.

“I’m going to be the chief advocate in this regard,” he said.

“I’m going to bring in some of the big entrepreneurs to come and see this place and also ensure that some of our people in relevant ministry positions come here and see what this place is doing and the potential it provides to this country.

“We will also train our students and give them skills. We are going to work together to generate a lot of young Nigerians who are out there from IDPs and everywhere to give them the necessary training.”