University of Port Harcourt Breaks Ground for State-of-the-Art Research Facility

The University of Port Harcourt has officially handed over the site for the construction and equipping of the Central Multi-Purpose Research Laboratory for Universities in Nigeria’s South-South region. This strategic facility is set to become a hub for cutting-edge research and innovation, aimed at stimulating economic growth and fostering sustainable development.

At a ceremony held on site, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Owunari Georgewill, lauded the initiative, emphasising its potential to propel innovation and commercialisation of research outcomes in the country. “This facility, once completed, will ensure that researchers in Nigeria have access to state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment, significantly reducing the need for scholars to travel abroad to complete their work,” Professor Georgewill stated.

The project is part of a broader national effort championed by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and supported by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). It is designed to stimulate economic growth through enhanced research capacity and development on a sustainable basis.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed gratitude to the Minister of Education, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, and the Adhoc committee set up by TETFund for their pivotal roles in bringing this long-awaited intervention to fruition.

The multi-purpose laboratory complex is expected to provide a comprehensive suite of facilities to support high-quality research in a range of disciplines, positioning the University of Port Harcourt and the entire South-South region as a leading centre for academic and industrial innovation.