NSUK Pioneers Africa’s First Materials Development Institute; Hosts Landmark Retreat on Raw Materials Commercialization

In a historic stride toward industrial independence, Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), has established the first Materials Development Institute (MDI) in Africa. To mark this milestone, the university hosted a collaborative retreat on Thursday, January 22, 2026, themed “Raw Materials Development through R&D Commercialization and Entrepreneurship.”

The initiative, a partnership between NSUK and the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), aims to revolutionize Nigeria’s economy by moving beyond the export of raw resources to the production of high-value finished goods.

The primary objective of the retreat, held at the S.B. Mohammed Auditorium, was to design a robust postgraduate curriculum. This framework will equip students with specific competencies in:

Research & Development (R&D) Commercialization: Bridging the gap between laboratory findings and the marketplace.

Sustainability: Ensuring resource development aligns with environmental standards.

Entrepreneurship: Fostering the skills needed to lead materials-based startups.

Representing Vice-Chancellor Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Professor Maikano Muhammad Ari, emphasized that the programme is a direct response to Nigeria’s development challenges. He noted that the MDI will allow postgraduate students to share innovative experiences in processing quality products suited for modern industrial demands.

Professor John John Ukeh, representing the Director-General of RMRDC, highlighted the weight of this pioneer status. “You carry a heavy burden being the first in Africa; it is not just a title, it is a responsibility,” he remarked, urging the institute to anticipate future industrial needs rather than reacting to current ones.