The Federal Government, through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, has announced its intention to establish over 24 skills and innovation centres nationwide. Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, revealed this during a visit to Innov8 Hub, accompanied by key stakeholders, including the Executive Secretary of TETfund, Sonny Echono, according to a statement released by the Fund on Wednesday.
Innov8 serves as a focal point for various activities, including Innovation Start-up Incubation, Technology Transfer, Knowledge & Skill Impartation, Prototype Development, and Fabrication. Currently, TETFund is collaborating with Innov8 Hub to provide practical training and mentorship for Nigerian youths and academics, aiming to produce employable graduates and enhance research.
During the visit, Mamman explained that the plan to establish 24 skills centres across the country is geared towards ensuring equal opportunities for all Nigerians, regardless of their location.
He also commended TETfund and Innov8 Hub for providing a platform for learners and researchers from Colleges of Education, Polytechnics, and Universities to engage in practical and impactful research activities.
The minister said, “Now, what I see here is enough to provide the knowledge incubation to take Nigeria to the highest level.
“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.
“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 from Colleges of Education, Polytechnics and universities to come here and undertake very practical impactful research,.:
He, however, lamented that what was missing was the off-takers, saying that the off-takers were not doing their part.
Mammam, therefore, promised that this time around the government would ensure to bridge the gap between researchers and the industries.
“I’m going to be the chief advocate in this regard. 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.”
