NSUK Pioneers Africa’s First Materials Development Institute (MDI), Hosts Collaborative Retreat on Raw Materials Development Commercialization and Entrepreneurship.
Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), on Thursday, 22nd January 2026, hosted a collaborative retreat with the Materials Development Institute (MDI) and the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) on the theme “Raw Materials Development through R&D Commercialization and Entrepreneurship.”
The retreat was aimed at designing a comprehensive university curriculum that will equip students with the requisite knowledge, skills, and competencies to drive raw materials development through research and development (R&D) commercialization and entrepreneurship.
The initiative seeks to foster innovation, sustainability, and economic growth in the 21st century and beyond. The event took place at the S. B. Mohammed Auditorium, School of Postgraduate Studies, NSUK.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Professor Maikano Muhammad Ari, expressed delight at the collaboration and appreciation for the opportunity granted to the University to host the new curriculum in Raw Materials Research and Development. He also thanked the University Management, and the leadership of the School of Postgraduate Studies for ensuring the success of the retreat.
Professor Ari noted that the programme is designed to address Nigeria’s raw materials development challenges through a robust and forward-looking curriculum framework. According to him, the initiative will provide postgraduate students with opportunities to share experiences in research and innovation, as well as in the processing of quality products aligned with 21st-century entrepreneurial demands.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Abdullahi Adamu Sulaiman, expressed gratitude to the organizers and participants for the success of the retreat. He described the event as historic in the context of the contemporary economy, emphasizing that raw materials development has become central to national development through the transformation of raw materials into finished goods.
In his presentation, the Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council Prof. Nnayelogu Martins Ike-Muonso, represented by the Prof. John John Ukeh described the gathering as more than an academic retreat, stating that it represented the maturation of a long-awaited vision.
He noted that the Materials Development Institute is the first of its kind in Nigeria, if not in Africa, and commended the Vice-Chancellor and University Management for their visionary leadership. He further lauded the leadership and scholars of the Institute, remarking, “You carry a heavy burden being the first in Africa; it is not just a title, it is a responsibility.” He urged the Institute to build a forward-looking institution capable of anticipating future industrial needs rather than merely reacting to present challenges.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abdullahi Yusuf Rubaidu, who was represented by the Director, Skills Development and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Esther I. Mmeka, noted that Nigeria is richly endowed with natural resources but continues to experience limited utilization. She emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among academic institutions, policymakers, and industry players. She further called for greater investment in practical training and experiential learning, the integration of entrepreneurship and commercialization skills, and continuous curriculum review to ensure responsiveness to technological advancements and market dynamics.
Goodwill messages were delivered by various dignitaries who congratulated the partners on the collaboration and described Nasarawa State University, Keffi, as a knowledge hub for raw materials development in Nigeria. They stressed the importance of technology marketing and effective communication as critical strategies for advancing raw materials development. The Institute was charged to be bold, innovative, and committed to building a high-quality resource community that can provide leadership in materials science and economics globally.
The retreat featured insightful discussions among academics and stakeholders on identifying practical solutions to raw materials development challenges in Nigeria and across Africa.
