Nasarawa State University, Keffi Strengthens Global Partnerships as UNDP Backs Expansion of Mine-Tech Unipod Initiative

Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing innovation, sustainable mining and technology-driven development through stronger partnerships with international organisations following a high-level visit by officials of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sa'adatu Hassan Liman, made the commitment while receiving a UNDP delegation led by the Assistant Secretary-General, Director of the UNDP Africa Bureau and Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on African Affairs, Madam Ahunna Eziakonwa, at the university's Council Chamber on July 1, 2026.

The visit highlighted the growing international recognition of NSUK's Mine-Tech Unipod, an innovation hub established to promote sustainable mining, technological advancement and entrepreneurship across Africa.

Welcoming the delegation, Prof. Liman expressed appreciation to the UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Madam Elsie G. Attafuah, for the agency's continued support in establishing and developing the Mine-Tech Unipod. She also commended the Director of the Centre, Dr. Aisha Abubakar Kana, and her team for their dedication to building a world-class innovation ecosystem at the university.

The Vice-Chancellor described the Mine-Tech Unipod as a transformative platform that aligns with NSUK's vision of leveraging research, innovation and technology to harness Africa's mineral resources in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner.

According to her, sustainable development in Africa depends on the integration of education, technology and effective resource management. She said the Mine-Tech Innovation Hub was created to bridge the gap between traditional mining practices and modern technology-driven solutions.

Prof. Liman added that the centre is developing environmentally friendly technologies to reduce the ecological impact of mining, while nurturing a new generation of African innovators, engineers and entrepreneurs. She also noted that the facility is producing research capable of shaping smarter, safer and more inclusive mining policies across the continent.

She reaffirmed the university's commitment to strengthening collaboration with the UNDP and other international development partners, stressing that NSUK will continue to invest in research, innovation and capacity building to drive sustainable national and continental development.

Speaking during the visit, Madam Ahunna Eziakonwa said the delegation visited the university to inspect and assess the Mine-Tech Unipod facilities while reaffirming the UNDP's commitment to supporting the Pan-African Mine-Tech Unipod initiative.

She commended the university management under Prof. Liman's leadership for the progress recorded at the innovation hub and the hospitality extended to the delegation.

According to Eziakonwa, the Mine-Tech Unipod provides a strategic platform for collaboration among government, academia and industry while supporting Africa's transition from an extractive economy to a knowledge-based economy through innovation and value addition.

She further reaffirmed the UNDP's commitment to promoting the sustainable development of Africa's mining sector by supporting innovation, technology transfer and strategic partnerships capable of delivering lasting socio-economic benefits.

The delegation later toured the Mine-Tech Unipod, where the Director of the Centre, Dr. Aisha Abubakar Kana, showcased the laboratories, innovation spaces and ongoing research projects, highlighting the facility's growing capacity to provide technological solutions for the mining industry.

The visit concluded with the presentation of commemorative souvenirs to the UNDP delegation and a group photograph at the university's Penthouse, marking another milestone in NSUK's efforts to expand its international collaborations and strengthen its global profile through strategic partnerships.