AUST, KOICA Explore Strategic Partnership to Strengthen Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem
The African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja, hosted a high-level delegation from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Project Management Consultants (PMC), and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) at the AUST Boardroom 1 to explore strategic collaboration in innovation, entrepreneurship, research commercialization, and startup development. The engagement focused on advancing joint initiatives, including programmes designed to strengthen youth innovation and MSME growth through structured training and capacity building.
In his opening remarks, Kingsley I. Ogwudu, Senior Manager of the AUST Inspire Innovation Hub, emphasized the importance of collaborative ecosystems in accelerating innovation outcomes. He highlighted AUST Inspire’s ongoing programmes and noted that partnerships with international development organizations would expand opportunities for innovators transitioning from research to scalable enterprises. He added that AUST remains committed to practical, impact-driven initiatives that support student innovators and early-stage startups.
In his welcome address, the AUST President, Prof. Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, FAS, reaffirmed the University’s openness to collaboration in research and development, innovation training, and entrepreneurship support. He highlighted AUST’s history of impactful partnerships, including World Bank-backed programmes and professional training initiatives such as the CISCO Academy. The President also showcased AUST’s innovation achievements, including award-winning 3D-printing filaments developed from recycled plastic waste, which received recognition at the National Engineering Innovation Awards. “Our focus is to build innovators who create sustainable solutions, not just win competitions,” he noted, stressing the importance of sustainability mindset and long-term value creation.
Discussions during the meeting addressed challenges facing startups, including limited follow-up structures after innovation programmes, funding access barriers, and difficulties meeting financial institution requirements. Participants noted the need to strengthen policies that de-risk early-stage ventures and improve pathways for mid-level innovators seeking to scale their solutions. Representative from SMEDAN, Salawu Ahmed, highlighted socio-economic factors that continue to hinder business growth, while stakeholders explored strategies for improving innovation financing and institutional support mechanisms.
The meeting concluded with leadership approval to pursue deeper collaboration, signaling a shared commitment between AUST and its partners to strengthen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem through research-driven entrepreneurship, sustainable innovation practices, and capacity development initiatives.
AUST was represented at the epoch-making meeting by
Professor Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, President AUST,
Dr. Abdulahakeem Bello, Vice President AUST,
Dr. Vitalis Anye - Dean of Engineering and HOD/ Coordinator AUSTInspire
Kingsley I. Ogwudu, Senior Manager, AUSTInspire Innovation Hub,
Eunhye Yong, Deputy Country Director, KOICA,
Joy Okeagu, Assistant Manager, KOICA, Dabureje Onesi-Lawani - Director, DG’s Office/ Monitoring and Evaluation and Ahmed Aliyu while Huwang Gee-hyun – Project Manager, PMC
Kim Tae Beom – Public Affairs Officer, PMC
Lim Han-gyu – Startup & Business Growth Training (BM), PMC
Ahn Dongok – Competition BM/IR, Lee Kee-taeck – Competition Hackathon,
Rhe Soo-hyun – PMO Team Lead, PMC
Lim Sung-hee – PMO (Effectiveness & M&E), PMC
Kim Ji-won – Video Production PD, PMC
Kim Jong Hun – Start-up and ICT Training (TOT), PMC represented the Korean team.