- President Tinubu urges Nigerian universities to focus on research that addresses national challenges, emphasizing the importance of real-world applications
- He encourages graduates to remain in Nigeria and contribute to development, highlighting the need for impactful teaching and research
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerian universities to prioritize research addressing the nation’s developmental challenges.
Speaking at the combined 29th and 30th conference of the University of Uyo, and represented by University of Port Harcourt’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Owunari Abraham Georgewill, Tinubu emphasized the importance of research with real-world applications to enhance society and improve lives.
The president expressed concern over the number of research findings from national and international conferences that often end up in archives without making an impact.
He urged the 12,450 graduates to remain in Nigeria and contribute to national development rather than seek opportunities abroad.
“I appeal to your sense of patriotism, urging you to resist the allure of greener pastures overseas. Together, we can make our pastures here just as vibrant, if not more so,” he said.
President Tinubu encouraged universities to adapt to the evolving needs of the modern world through impactful teaching, learning, and research.
He noted the government’s support in creating centres of excellence in universities but highlighted the issue of underutilized research, which often remains stored in libraries without practical application.
The Chancellor of UniUyo, Alhaji Dr. Abubakar Maje, Emir of Hadejia, praised Vice Chancellor Prof. Nyaudoh Ndaeyo’s accomplishments, emphasizing the university’s goal of academic excellence.
The Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Zubairu Abdallah, further stressed the importance of adequate resources, political commitment, and supportive policies to empower universities to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s development.
Akwa Ibom State Governor Dr. Umo Eno, who received an honorary doctorate, reaffirmed his commitment to advancing education and small—and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the state. His thesis, Government and Private Sector Development: A Study of Small and Medium Enterprises in Akwa Ibom State, reflects his belief in SMEs as vital to economic growth.