An agreement has been reached between the University of Abuja in the Nigerian capital and the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority NEPZA to develop a free zone for the export industry on its campus.
The decision was made by the Managing Director, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority Mr. Adesoji Adesugba while hosting a visit by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja Mr. Abdulrasheed Na’Allah, to request for the support of NEPZA in executing the project.
Na’Allah said over ten thousand hectares of land surrounding the university is endowed with natural resources which include precious stones and gold that need to be explored and used in generating revenue to support research and promote agriculture.
“Our students as they are learning to become geologists, to become mining specialists, will also have right here on our campus, critical experience that is relevant. Many people don’t know that on our campus we have a lot of minerals right here at the university of Abuja.”
The vice chancellor of the university of Abuja also said that this project would make the university the first in Nigeria to embark on a project like this and make it a role model for others to emulate.
Mr. Na’Allah believes that with the support of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, developing a free zone for export in the university would provide lecturers enough means of generating revenue and have no reason to go on strike.
“Because nothing is going on that is why they can close their laboratories and go home if I have some work I have to do with you, and somebody says I should close and go home, I will simply say he doesn’t know what he’s talking about, because I have a deadline.”
After accepting the partnership, the NEPZA boss, Mr. Adesoji Adesugba said the vast potentials awaiting every entrepreneur interested in investing in the university leaves him with no choice but to embark on the trade zone project.
“Productivity increases, employment is guaranteed, innovation at its best, and value is shared because there’s money to be shared, there’s value to be shared. We cannot have assets locked down in a developing country like Nigeria, we lock down our talents we delve in intrigues and internal politics that leads nowhere rather than sitting down and wooing with the best minds and getting things unlocked”
Mr. Adesugba also promised to ensure that the export industry trade zone would be developed before the next governing administration.
