• Super Admin
• 08 Mar, 2026

The University of Mkar, Gboko, Benue State, has established a Students Innovation Hub aimed at empowering students to develop practical solutions to societal challenges. The initiative followed a challenge issued by development expert and Benue State governorship aspirant, Dr. Jeffrey Kuraun, during the university's 19th Distinguished Public Lecture held recently at the institution. Delivering a lecture titled "Navigating an Uncertain Future: Courage, Creativity and Responsibility in Times of Crisis," Kuraun urged students to move beyond passive learning and embrace innovation, creativity and problem-solving as tools for addressing real-life challenges. He stressed the need for universities to create Student Innovation Labs where young people can transform ideas into practical solutions capable of addressing Nigeria's pressing development issues. According to him, institutions of higher learning must go beyond theoretical instruction by creating platforms where students can experiment, collaborate and apply knowledge to real-world problems. Responding to the challenge, the university community established the Students Innovation Hub, designed as a collaborative space where students can meet, exchange ideas and develop projects with real-world impact. The hub is expected to promote creativity, teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration among students, while also providing mentorship opportunities from faculty members and industry professionals. The concept, as highlighted during the lecture, encourages students to work on real-life challenges within their communities while gaining practical skills that complement classroom learning. The platform is also expected to encourage collaboration between students, entrepreneurs and development partners with the aim of transforming academic ideas into viable initiatives. With the guiding theme "Think. Imagine. Create.", the hub seeks to inspire students to see themselves as solution-builders rather than passive observers of national challenges. Kuraun further encouraged students to acquire practical competencies such as digital literacy, entrepreneurship, agriculture and data analysis to better prepare for an increasingly uncertain future. He also urged young people to apply knowledge to community problems, build financial resilience and work across disciplines to develop scalable solutions. "You are not just here to absorb knowledge," Kuraun told the students. "You are here to co-create the future." Stakeholders at the institution expressed optimism that the newly established hub will serve as a platform where ideas developed by students can evolve into impactful projects that contribute to national development. They also noted that the initiative could serve as a model for universities across Nigeria seeking to promote innovation, ethical leadership and problem-solving among students. The establishment of the Students Innovation Hub, the university added, represents an important step toward translating the vision of student-driven innovation into practical action. Source: https://independent.ng/kurauns-challenge-sparks-creation-of-students-innovation-hub/