NSUK Partners with Triple Helix Nigeria to Drive Innovation and Economic Transformation

Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), in collaboration with Triple Helix Nigeria (THN), on Monday, 26 January 2026, hosted a public lecture and interactive workshop themed “Building Innovative Ecosystems in Nigerian Universities: The Triple Helix Imperative.”

The programme held at the S. B. Mohammed Auditorium, School of Postgraduate Studies.

Delivering the welcome address on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, Fellow of UNESCO, ACLS, FIIFP, CBER, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Maikano M. Ari, described the engagement as timely and strategic. He noted that the theme aligns squarely with NSUK’s vision of repositioning the University as a centre for research, innovation, and enterprise-driven development.

Professor Ari underscored the importance of strategic partnerships with organisations such as Triple Helix Nigeria, TETFund, NITDA, NASENI, and CSS Farm. He called for strengthened joint research initiatives, effective technology transfer mechanisms, enabling government policies, increased innovation funding, and the deliberate promotion of an entrepreneurial culture within Nigerian universities.

He further highlighted NSUK’s ongoing academia–industry–policy collaborations with AVATAR Lithium Mining and Processing Plants, ASGARD Mining Company, NAPTIN, NASENI, UNDP/UNIPOD, and the Industrial Training Fund. According to him, these partnerships are targeted at manpower development and exposing staff and students to global best practices, particularly in the mining and industrial sectors.

In her opening remarks, a Board Member of Triple Helix Nigeria, Professor Eucharia O. Nawaichi, commended the Vice-Chancellor for her consistent support for academic excellence and innovation. She emphasized the central role of research and innovation in national development and called for sustained collaboration to build functional and impactful innovation ecosystems across Nigerian universities.

The keynote lecture was delivered by Engr. ThankGod Egbe, CEO and Technical Director of Cypher Crescent Limited. He spoke extensively on the need for innovation ecosystems that translate research outputs into commercially viable ventures. He identified industry-relevant research, intellectual property development, technology transfer frameworks, venture creation pathways, and policy and funding alignment as critical pillars of a successful university-driven innovation ecosystem.

Engr. Egbe also proposed practical solutions to prevailing research and innovation challenges, including stakeholder sensitization through the Triple Helix model, adoption of venture studios as a core university mandate, industry co-investment, supportive government policies, and the deployment of strategic funding mechanisms.

Goodwill messages from partner organisations reinforced the strong linkage between teaching, research, and innovation as tools for addressing national challenges and driving sustainable economic development.

The programme featured panel discussions involving academics and industry experts and concluded with group photographs to commemorate the engagement.