Vice President Kashim Shettima has commended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for its remarkable contribution to global entrepreneurship, revealing that the institution’s innovation ecosystem has generated over $1.5 billion and created more than 30,000 direct jobs within the last two decades. The Vice President Kashim Shettima described MIT as one of the most successful bridges between academic research and real-sector prosperity, noting that its model offers valuable lessons for Africa’s development journey.
Shettima made the remarks on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa while receiving a delegation from the Kuo Sharper Foundry Fellowship 2025–2026, led by MIT’s Executive Director for the Kuo Sharper Centre for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship, Dina Sherif. He said the visit represented more than a courtesy call, but a strategic opening for deeper collaboration between Nigeria, Africa, and one of the world’s foremost innovation hubs.
According to the Vice President Kashim Shettima, MIT has demonstrated that universities can move beyond classrooms to become factories of wealth creation. He stressed that the figures recorded by the institute were not mere statistics but evidence of how structured mentorship, research funding, and global networks can transform societies.
Call for African Entrepreneurs to Unite
Shettima urged African innovators to embrace collaboration rather than operate in isolation. He noted that while the continent is blessed with creative talents, many start-ups fail due to weak ecosystems and limited access to global markets. Leveraging platforms such as MIT, he said, would help African businesses scale faster and compete internationally.
The Vice President emphasised that Africa’s greatest resource is its youthful population, adding that what is required is exposure to world-class systems. He encouraged entrepreneurs to see MIT’s network as a launch pad for continental transformation rather than a distant foreign institution.
He also reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting technology, research, and skills development. According to him, Nigeria is prepared to build partnerships that will convert local ideas into globally competitive products.
Strengthening Nigeria–MIT Partnership
Leader of the delegation, Dina Sherif, expressed MIT’s willingness to deepen engagement with Nigeria and other African countries. She explained that the Kuo Sharper Foundry Fellowship focuses on nurturing entrepreneurs who combine innovation with social impact.
Sherif noted that many African founders are already part of MIT’s global community and have shown exceptional creativity in health, agriculture, and digital finance. She said the institute hopes to expand mentorship opportunities and investment pipelines across the continent.
The meeting ended with both parties agreeing to explore joint programmes that would link Nigerian universities, tech hubs, and young innovators directly with MIT resources. Analysts believe the collaboration could open a new chapter in Africa’s quest for technology-driven prosperity.
Table of Contents
Discover more from OGM News NG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
