Universities must move innovations from laboratories to the marketplace, says Barau,

Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has urged universities and other tertiary institutions across the country to prioritise research and its commercialisation, in line with practices adopted by higher institutions in developed countries.

Senator Barau made the call while receiving the management of North West University, Kano, led by its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Amina Salihi Bayero, at the National Assembly in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, the Deputy Senate President encouraged the management of higher institutions to diversify their sources of revenue through the commercialisation of research outputs.
Senator Barau, who served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND during the Eighth Senate, said universities should ensure that innovations are translated into tangible economic benefits.
“Do not leave innovations in laboratories or bookshelves. Patent them and create value from them.
“Top global institutions like Harvard, MIT and Cornell leverage research, collaborate with industries, and generate revenue through innovation. I encourage you to adopt this model,” he said.
He stressed that the development and sustainability of higher education require collective support rather than reliance on a single individual or organisation.
“Maintaining and developing a university is not something that can be assured by just a single entity or person. It needs the assistance, intervention and cooperation of all,” he said, adding that even universities established and funded by the Federal Government regularly seek external support.
Emphasising the importance of human capital development, Senator Barau said education must remain a top national priority.
“Human capital is the key driver of development globally. It is no longer about resources like petroleum or solid minerals. The number one factor of production in any nation is human capital,” he stated.
Commending the Vice-Chancellor for her proactive leadership and acknowledging the institution’s remarkable growth since its establishment in 2012, the Deputy Senate President announced the donation of a coaster bus to the university.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Amina Salihi Bayero, who assumed office in December 2025, said the visit was aimed at exploring areas of collaboration between the university and the Office of the Deputy President of the Senate.
She praised Senator Barau’s contributions to the education sector through various interventions, including scholarships, grants, and the provision of critical infrastructure to higher institutions.
Professor Bayero noted that the university, which started with only one faculty at inception, now boasts ten faculties and a student population of about 30,000.