Vice President Kashim Shettima has praised the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for its outstanding 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 over the past two decades. He 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 emphasised that the visit was more than a courtesy call, describing it as a strategic opening for deeper collaboration between Nigeria, Africa, and one of the world’s foremost innovation hubs.
Highlighting MIT’s impact, Shettima said the figures recorded by the institute are evidence of how structured mentorship, research funding, and global networks can transform societies. “Universities can move beyond classrooms to become factories of wealth creation,” he noted.
Shettima also called on African innovators to embrace collaboration over isolation. He stressed that while the continent is blessed with creative talent, many start-ups fail due to weak ecosystems and limited access to global markets. Leveraging platforms such as MIT, he said, would enable African businesses to scale faster and compete on a global stage.
Emphasising Africa’s youthful population as the continent’s greatest resource, Shettima encouraged entrepreneurs to view MIT’s network as a launch pad for continental transformation rather than a distant foreign institution. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting technology, research, and skills development, noting that Nigeria is prepared to build partnerships to turn local ideas into globally competitive products.
MIT’s Dina Sherif expressed the institution’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, showing exceptional creativity in sectors such as health, agriculture, and digital finance.
The meeting concluded with both parties agreeing to explore joint programmes linking Nigerian universities, tech hubs, and young innovators directly with MIT resources. Analysts say the collaboration could mark a new chapter in Africa’s pursuit of technology-driven prosperity.
