The federal government has challenged universities and other tertiary institutions in Nigeria’s North Central region to intensify research, innovation and industry collaboration to unlock the zone’s economic potential.

Giving the charge yesterday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said tertiary institutions could no longer focus solely on producing graduates but must become centres for solving economic and social challenges through research and innovation.

Idris, at the 2026 Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) North Central Zonal Town Hall Meeting in Lokoja, Kogi State, said the region, with its vast agricultural resources, mineral deposits, energy potential and strategic location, required institutions capable of producing the expertise needed to transform those resources into jobs, businesses and sustainable development.

He charged the higher institutions of learning in the region to align their academic programmes and research with opportunities in agriculture, agro-processing, mining, energy, manufacturing, tourism and other sectors.

The minister further charged them to work closely with the North Central Development Commission and other stakeholders to ensure that research and skills development contribute directly to regional development opportunities, “producing the scientists, engineers, agricultural experts, technicians, entrepreneurs and other professionals required to unlock them.”

Idris stressed that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has placed human capital development at the centre of its development agenda, with TETFund serving as one of the major instruments for delivering the commitment.

He disclosed that the fund had approved approximately N2.53 billion for each public university, N1.87 billion for each polytechnic and N2.06 billion for each college of education under its 2026 intervention.

Therefore, he said the allocations should translate into improved learning and research facilities, including laboratories, lecture halls, libraries and other infrastructure, rather than remain as mere budgetary figures.

Nevertheless, noting that infrastructure alone would not address the challenges of Nigeria’s tertiary education system, he stressed the need to focus on what happens inside the facilities.

In the meantime, the minister called for stronger partnerships between tertiary institutions and the private sector, saying that the industry should be involved in curriculum development, research, technical training and innovation rather than making occasional appearances on campuses.