A Centre for Environmental Sustainability (CES) shall be established to design, develop, maintain, test and evaluate various methods of sustaining and preserving the flora and fauna of our environment. The Centre shall aim to make its mark by identifying the various species of plants and animals in the region facing extinction, recover the uniqueness of our environment and lead the call for more drastic measure to maintain the natural structure of the environment. The centre shall, as a result of its area of expertise, generate income as it shall attract exploratory visits globally and these funds shall accrue to the internally generated revenue of the university as well as fund its own research in the long term. The centre shall also seek collaborations (both local and international) in the conduct of its research, training, production, development and innovation activities. The centre shall be headed by a Director who shall be appointed by the ViceChancellor. The centre shall be closely linked with relevant academic departments of the university and shall use their staff, in addition to its own staff in the conduct of its research, training, development, production and innovation activities.
A Centre for Food Processing and Post-Harvest Research (CeFPHaR) shall be established in the university to carry out research, training, production, development and innovation into the various processes of improving the quality and preserving agricultural products. The university shall aim to be a reference point in the mass production and development of some selected food and cash crops in Nigeria and shall set a target to export such products. Hence, the centre shall serve as a source of internally generated revenue for the university and a way to support the economic diversification drive of Nigeria. The centre shall be initially financed at inception before it shall become self-financing. The centre shall also seek collaborations (both local and international) in the conduct of its research, training, production, development and innovation activities. The centre shall be headed by a Director who shall be appointed by the Vice-Chancellor. The centre shall be closely linked with relevant academic departments of the university and shall use their staff, in addition to its own staff in the conduct of its research, training, production, development and innovation activities.
The recent clamour for food sovereignty, diversification of the nation’s economy, and the current focus on agriculture as a means of achieving these needs as well as developing manpower is a major drive for the establishment of the Centre for Food Security and Agricultural Innovation (CeFSAI). The University shall explore the arable landscape of Benue State and its environs, together with the huge agricultural viability that abounds in the Middle-Belt region and Nigeria, to develop plant and animal husbandry to the highest global standards of excellence in both quality and quantity. The Centre shall strive to enhance sustainable and safe agricultural biotechnology research, as well as invent improvised technologies that are affordable, accessible, and practical to meet both local and global needs. It shall actively engage its staff in research, training, production, development, and innovation, while maintaining strong links with the relevant academic departments of the University. The Centre shall be adequately funded, with a guaranteed annual budget to ensure its sustainability and to enable it to achieve its desired objectives. It shall also pursue collaborations—both local and international—in research, training, production, development, and innovation activities. The Centre shall be established in Phase I of the University’s development and shall be headed by a Director appointed by the Vice-Chancellor.
The University shall establish an Open Innovation and Startup Incubator (OISI) to support students and faculty with start-up ideas, including scenario planning, futures thinking, and strategic innovation for policy, education, and technology design aimed at Africa’s agricultural and technological transformation. OISI shall be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for prototyping—such as 3D printing and AR/VR labs—alongside funding access and mentorship from global entrepreneurial networks. The Incubator aims to play a pivotal role in advancing the development, implementation, and dissemination of research, as well as the scaling-up of UAST innovations and intellectual property. By collaborating with industry partners and academic institutions, OISI shall drive startup advancements that can be translated into national development and recognized internationally. The Incubator shall also seek collaborations, both local and international, in research, development, and innovation scale-up activities. It shall be established in Phase I of the University’s development and shall be headed by a Director appointed by the Vice-Chancellor.
The University shall establish the African Centre for Climate-Smart Agriculture and Biodiversity (ACCB) to advance the development, implementation, and dissemination of research in regenerative agriculture, biodiversity conservation, agroecology, and adaptation to climate impacts in Sub-Saharan Africa. In an era marked by climate change, environmental degradation, and the depletion of fossil fuels, ACCB aims to play a pivotal role in fostering climate-smart agriculture and sustainable biodiversity through research, training, development, production, innovation, and community engagement. The Centre shall be dedicated to conducting cutting-edge research in innovative technologies and methodologies that enhance efficiency and promote sustainable practices. It shall also pursue collaborations—both local and international—in research, training, production, development, and innovation activities. The Centre shall be established in Phase I of the University’s development and shall be headed by a Director appointed by the Vice-Chancellor.
The University shall establish an Institute for Traditional Knowledge Systems and Ethnobotany (ITKSE), dedicated to advancing knowledge and training in the documentation, research, and innovation of indigenous agricultural practices, medicinal plants, and ethnobotany with modern scientific validation. The Institute shall contribute to the training of skilled professionals and conduct advanced research in the development of traditional knowledge solutions derived from African rural communities. ITKSE shall also pursue collaborations, both local and international, in research, training, production, development, and innovation activities. The Institute shall be established in Phase II of the University’s development and shall be headed by a Director appointed by the Vice-Chancellor.
The University shall establish an Institute for Agro-Industrial Design Thinking and Export Logistics (IADTEL), dedicated to advancing curriculum and research that integrates engineering, gribusiness, design thinking, and user-centered innovation in food processing and equipment design. The Institute shall also advance policy research and education in agriculture, science, ethics, development leadership, agritech law, value chain optimization, agro-export ackaging and certification (e.g., GLOBALG.A.P, HACCP), cross-border trade law, and logistics infrastructure. IADTEL shall actively seek collaborations, both local and international, in the conduct of its research, training, and development activities. The Institute shall be established in Phase II of the University’s development and shall be headed by a Director appointed by the Vice-Chancellor.
The University shall establish a Centre for Digital and Immersive Learning (CeDIL) to advance the development, implementation, and dissemination of research in online learning environments, VR/AR classrooms, open content, and immersive field-based learning experiences. The Centre shall be dedicated to conducting cutting-edge research in innovative technologies and methodologies that enhance digital learning, MOOCs, and immersive education. CeDIL shall also pursue collaborations, both local and international, in research, training, production, development, and innovation activities. The Centre shall be established in Phase I of the University’s development and shall be headed by a Director appointed by the Vice-Chancellor.
The University shall establish the Africa Centre for Applied Space Science Research (ACASSR) as a continental hub dedicated to advancing research in applied space science, innovation, and policy for sustainable development in Africa. Rooted in the belief that space technology can transform critical sectors such as agriculture, climate resilience, security, and urban planning, ACASSR shall conduct cutting-edge research in satellite systems, geospatial intelligence, and Earth observation. The Centre shall also focus on building local capacity through academic programs and technical training, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and promoting space diplomacy and data-driven governance across the continent for Africa’s agricultural, scientific, and technological transformation. ACASSR shall actively pursue collaborations, both local and international, in research, development, and innovation activities. The Centre shall be established in Phase II of the University’s development and shall be headed by a Director appointed by the Vice-Chancellor.
