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UNDP UniPod · MOAUM

University Innovation Pod

Where student ideas
become enterprises.

UniPod MOAUM is the University's innovation and entrepreneurship hub, supported by UNDP and the Federal Government of Nigeria, with a focus on Agriculture and Food Systems.

  • Supported by UNDP
  • Federal Government of Nigeria
  • TETFund partnership
  • Agriculture & Food Systems
  • 500,000+

    young Nigerians targeted for advanced digital and AI skills

  • 1,500–2,000

    startups and student ventures to be supported

  • 6

    universities in the first cohort, one for each priority sector

  • 41

    UniPods planned across Nigerian tertiary institutions

About

What is a UniPod?

A UniPod is a University Innovation Pod: a structured platform on a university campus where ideas are developed, tested, financed and turned into viable enterprises.

Nigeria's National UniPod Network is a joint initiative of the Federal Government, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), delivered through the National Innovation and Digital Transformation Partnership Programme (NIDTPP). Nigeria is the first country in Africa to take the UniPod model to scale through direct public investment.

Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi, formerly Benue State University, is one of the six universities in the first cohort. Its pod is focused on Agriculture and Food Systems, a natural fit for Benue State, widely known as the Food Basket of the Nation.

UniPod MOAUM connects student talent, academic research and practical industry tools, so that young innovators can move beyond lectures to real agricultural, technological and economic challenges, turning classroom concepts into market-ready solutions.

  • Federal Government of Nigeria
  • UNDP
  • TETFund
  • NIDTPP
UniPod MOAUM

Agriculture & Food Systems

Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi

A first-cohort UniPod, reported as established and equipped, with energy solutions, connectivity and operational teams in place.

Latest updates

Latest updates from the UniPod network

What has happened so far, newest national milestones alongside our own hub. Each item links to its source.

Our University

MOAUM

Hub · April 2026

UniPod MOAUM

Makurdi joins the first cohort: Agriculture and Food Systems

Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi is named among the six first-cohort universities. Its hub is reported established, equipped and ready for activation, with energy solutions, connectivity and operational teams in place.

Source: The State House, Abuja (opens in a new tab)
  • UniPod MOAUMOpen call

    Smart Agriculture Grand Challenge: call for proposals

    UniPod MOAUM invites proposals for its Smart Agriculture Grand Challenge, aimed at transforming farming through innovation, data and technology.

    UniPod MOAUM (opens in a new tab)
  • National UniPod NetworkApply by 27 March 2026

    Innovation Discovery Call: student-led solutions and creatives

    The National UniPod Network invites student-led solutions and creative projects on a rolling basis, with the first cohort onboarded at the launch of the UniPods.

    UniPod MOAUM (opens in a new tab)
  • Scaling upAugust 2026

    41 UniPods planned nationally, eight commissioned or ready

    Government reports that 41 UniPods are planned across tertiary institutions, with eight either commissioned or ready for commissioning. AgroTech at Benue State University is among the specialised pods named.

    Voice of Nigeria (opens in a new tab)
  • Network milestoneJuly 2026

    Manu-Tech UniPod launched at Umudike

    The Federal Government launches the manufacturing technology UniPod at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, offering prototyping laboratories, business incubation and industry mentorship.

    Technology Times (opens in a new tab)
  • Network milestone8 May 2026

    Mining Technology UniPod activated at Keffi

    The Mining Technology and Resource Innovation UniPod at Nasarawa State University, Keffi is activated, the next step in the national rollout after Lagos.

    Leadership (opens in a new tab)
  • National launch7 April 2026

    AI UniPod flagged off at the University of Lagos

    The Vice President opens the national rollout. Nigeria becomes the first country in Africa to take the UniPod model to scale through direct public investment.

    UNDP Nigeria (opens in a new tab)
Facilities

Facilities and labs at UniPod MOAUM

As listed on the UniPod MOAUM website: multi-disciplinary workspaces for prototyping and production.

Built for agriculture

  • Food Processing Lab
  • Engineering Workshop

Innovation labs

  • Design Lab
  • Prototyping Lab
  • Renewable Energy Lab
  • Electronics Lab

Creative spaces

  • Music studio
  • Photography suite
  • Video studio
For students and innovators

What a UniPod brings to campus

  • Skills

    Mentorship and skills

    Guidance and training that connect classroom learning to what the labour market needs, including digital and AI skills.

  • Funding

    Seed financing

    Early funding routes that help promising student ideas become working ventures.

  • Infrastructure

    Tools and infrastructure

    A dedicated space with independent energy solutions, connectivity and an operations team.

  • Enterprise

    Startup launchpad

    A place for student-led startups to build, test and grow, from idea to enterprise.

National network

Nigeria's National UniPod Network

One university and one priority sector at a time, across the six geopolitical zones.

The first cohort

  • University of Lagos

    Artificial Intelligence

  • Nasarawa State University, Keffi

    Mining Technology

  • University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom

    Green and Blue Economy

  • Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike

    Manufacturing and Trade

  • Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi

    Agriculture and Food Systems

    Our University
  • University of Maiduguri, Borno

    Resilience and Recovery

A summary of publicly reported information about the national programme and the UniPod MOAUM website. Details and the status of individual hubs may change.