In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu aimed at moving Nigeria to a knowledge driven economy, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has concluded plans for the equipping of Central Multipurpose Laboratories in selected Public Tertiary Institutions across the six geopolitical zones of the country. Inaugurating the committee which will oversee the equipping of the said laboratories, TETFund described it as part of efforts to strengthen research, as well as balancing theory with practical skills towards actualizing knowledge driven economy for Nigeria. Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc Sonny S.T. Echono, who spoke while inaugurating the committee recently in Abuja, stated that the initiative which is part of the aspiration of President Tinubu’s administration towards revolutionizing research culture in Nigeria was long overdue. Echono who explained that the initiative will strengthen research and infrastructure needed to transform Nigeria from a consumption economy to a productive and competitive economy in the global space, pointed out that innovative research, and its effective commercialization are key drivers of economic growth and prosperity in modern landscape. According to him, “Sustainable economic development is largely propelled by increased productive systems from purposeful, solution-oriented research that addresses societal and industrial challenges” He stressed that effective outcomes cannot be achieved without the adequate research facilities and enabling infrastructure, well equipped laboratories, modern tools, and a conducive environment for innovation. Echono lamented that the national Survey conducted in 2024, on Research infrastructure in public tertiary institutions in Nigeria to evaluate the availability, functionality and relevance of existing facilities in line with global best practices, revealed significant gaps in the utilization of equipment, duplication of equipment in some cases within the same institutions, limited inter-faculty collaboration for optimal utilization, and the presence of outdated facilities. He further revealed that feedback from TETFund research interventions such as National Research Fund (NRF), Institution-Based Research (IBR), and mega research grants indicated a systemic gap, where research grants are basically used for procurement of laboratory equipment and consumables to support the research activities, which place more burden on the individual researcher. Echono stated that all these are indication of the absence of world class requisite research and development infrastructure to conduct top-level research, and that it is affecting the ability of researchers in Nigeria to compete favourably with their counterpart’s world over. Pointing out that the quest to address the gaps necessitated the formation of the committee which is tasked with the responsibility of reviewing and updating the equipment specification to ensure cutting edge performance, the TETFund boss noted that “that to tackle the gap identified in the survey, the Fund has made necessary provision in its 2023, 2024, 2025 interventions to establish six (6) Central Multipurpose laboratory in selected Public Institutions to provide quality laboratory infrastructure and necessary facilities and equipment to strengthen research capacity” While appreciating the members of the committee for accepting to serve and contribute their quota to the development of the country, Arc. Echono pointed out that the committee is saddled with the responsibility of guiding the Fund to efficiently equip the multipurpose laboratories in line with international best practices. He further explained that the terms of reference for the committee include the review of equipment list recommended by the previous committee, to ensure it meets modern standard, as well as recommend high –quality, durable and cost-effective equipment to be procured in phases. Also, the committee would review the management framework suggested in the report as well as recommend effective operationalization and sustainability of the multipurpose laboratories. Echono reiterated that sustainable development depends solely on solution driven research and innovation supported by effective infrastructure, assuring that the laboratories would have alternative uninterrupted power supply to ensure smooth operation. The committee has one month to provide guidance on equipment specification, he further disclosed. In his acceptance speech, Chairman of the committee, Mr. Chris Maiyaki commended the Fund for the bold steps been taken to improve the standard of public institutions in Nigeria. He added that the centralized laboratories would bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in higher education and research. Maiyaki appreciated the TETFund boss for the confidence reposed on members of the committee to contribute their quota to the development of the country. He assured of timely execution and delivery of the important assignment