The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has conferred an Award of Recognition on the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh (SAN), in honour of his contributions to science, innovation, technology and national development.
The award was presented during the university’s 55th Convocation Ceremony, where Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State delivered the institution’s convocation lecture on experiential learning, human capital development and inclusive prosperity.
Reacting to the honour, Udeh described the recognition by his alma mater as humbling and dedicated the award to Nigerian scientists, researchers, innovators, technologists, entrepreneurs and development practitioners.
“I express my profound appreciation to the University Council, Senate, Management, staff, students, alumni, and the entire University community for this distinguished honour.
“I dedicate this recognition to every Nigerian scientist, researcher, innovator, technologist, entrepreneur, and development practitioner whose unwavering commitment continues to advance the frontiers of scientific discovery, technological progress, and national development,” he said.
The minister said the award had strengthened his resolve to deepen research commercialisation and strengthen collaboration between academia, industry and government in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.
“This honour further strengthens my resolve, as the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, to accelerate policies that deepen research commercialisation, strengthen the academia-industry-government nexus, promote indigenous innovation, catalyse technology transfer, and position science, technology, and innovation as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrial competitiveness, economic resilience, and sustainable prosperity,” he stated.
Udeh also congratulated the graduating Class of 2026 and commended the university’s Governing Council, Senate, management, staff, alumni and the wider university community for sustaining UNN’s legacy in academic excellence, research, innovation and nation-building.
The minister was among several dignitaries who attended the convocation ceremony, including Governor Peter Mbah, Deputy Governor Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, Deputy Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Ezenta Ezeani, Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Most Rev. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, and Senator Ikeje Asogwa.
Earlier, Governor Mbah delivered the 55th Convocation Lecture titled “Restoring the Dignity of Man: Enugu’s Quantum Leap in Human Development and Inclusive Prosperity Through Experiential Learning,” where he advocated a fundamental shift in Nigeria’s education system from certificate acquisition to experiential learning and innovation.
The governor argued that education should produce problem-solvers and innovators capable of transforming knowledge into productivity and shared prosperity, highlighting his administration’s investments in Smart Green Schools, technical education, digital literacy, healthcare, technology and infrastructure as part of Enugu State’s human capital development strategy.
He disclosed that the state has consistently committed about one-third of its annual budget to education, established 268 Smart Green Schools across the 260 political wards, trained over 23,000 teachers in digital literacy and recently approved the recruitment of an additional 4,698 teachers to strengthen the initiative.
Commending the governor’s presentation, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, and Chairman of the occasion and former Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, praised Mbah’s achievements in human capital development and his administration’s developmental strides across sectors within three years in office.