The Tertiary Education Trust Fund has inaugurated a seven-member advisory committee to oversee the creation and efficient operation of multipurpose laboratories in tertiary institutions across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja, Executive Secretary Sonny Echono tasked the committee with submitting detailed recommendations within one month. He said the team would provide direction on laboratory design, equipment standards, deployment strategies and long-term management to ensure the facilities deliver meaningful impact.
According to Echono, the initiative is designed to deepen research capacity and upgrade infrastructure in higher institutions. He explained that strengthening research would help reposition Nigeria from a largely consumption-based economy to one driven by innovation, production and global competitiveness.
Also see: RIWAMA Bans Median Dumping
He added that the committee would reassess previously suggested equipment lists in view of rapid technological advancements and the risk of outdated tools. Its responsibilities also include advising on cost-effective procurement, evaluating management structures and proposing strategies for sustainability, industry partnerships and revenue generation.
Echono emphasised that constant technological changes make regular reviews necessary, noting that innovation-backed research is critical to sustainable economic growth. He assured stakeholders that the laboratories would be supported with alternative power supply to enable uninterrupted research activities.
Committee Chairman Chris Maiyaki, a former Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, expressed appreciation for the trust placed in the panel and pledged to deliver on its mandate promptly. He said modern central laboratories would help connect classroom theory with practical research and innovation.
