The Federal Government will, on April 7, 2026, commence the nationwide rollout of the University Innovation Ports (UniPods), a flagship initiative designed to transform Nigeria’s universities into hubs of innovation, enterprise and job creation.

Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Hadejia, disclosed this yesterday while briefing journalists at the State House, Abuja, ahead of the official flag-off at the University of Lagos.

Speaking on behalf of the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, the presidential aide described the initiative as a strategic intervention aimed at bridging the long-standing gap between formal education and labour market demands.

He said the UniPods would serve as structured platforms where students and researchers can transform ideas into market-ready ventures through access to mentorship, financing and technical support.

“The goal is to ensure that graduates leave not just with certificates, but with practical capabilities and clear pathways to economic participation,” he said.

Hadejia noted that the programme reflects a broader policy shift under President Bola Tinubu to position universities at the centre of Nigeria’s economic transformation.

According to him, the initiative goes beyond infrastructure, representing a coordinated national innovation ecosystem, linking research, industry, talent and investment.

He added that the programme is being implemented in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), ensuring alignment with global best practices and long-term sustainability.

The rollout will begin with an Artificial Intelligence-focused UniPod at the University of Lagos, with additional hubs planned across Abia, Akwa Ibom, Nasarawa, Benue and Borno states.

Hadejia said the network would deepen collaboration among government, academia and the private sector, while enabling regions to leverage their comparative advantages within a unified national framework.

He stressed that the UniPod model represents a shift towards outcome-based public investment, with enterprise formation, innovation and job creation as measurable outputs of the university system.