Stakeholders including the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, the University of Ibadan (UI), the Bank of Industry (BOI), and others have called for greater collaboration to leverage research outputs for national development.
The call came during the UI Research and Development (UIRESDEV) Fair 2024, held under the theme, “Re-focusing Research and Innovation towards Scaling-up Nigerian Brands for Commercial Value”. The event, tagged “UI-Town Connect 2024”, served as a platform to explore ways of strengthening the link between academia, industry, and government to drive innovation and economic growth.
In his keynote address, Seye Oyeleye, Director-General of the DAWN Commission, emphasized the need to reorient research efforts and build innovation ecosystems that support the growth of local Nigerian brands. He highlighted that the journey from research to marketable products is a challenging one, but it is essential for national progress.
“We must ensure that research and development are not just academic pursuits, but engines that fuel the growth of local brands,” Oyeleye said. He called for collaboration across sectors to bridge the gap between research and commercialization, urging stakeholders to break down barriers and foster a culture of innovation that would drive the commercial success of Nigerian brands.
Prof. Peter Olapegba, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) of the University of Ibadan, who spoke on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, also underscored the importance of translating research into tangible innovations that can contribute to the country’s development. He stressed the need for greater industry-academic collaboration to maximize the impact of research.
Prof. Oluyemisi Bamgbose, UI Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships (RISP), emphasized that Nigerian universities, through research, have the potential to create brands that can solve national problems and drive economic expansion. She pointed out that building strong partnerships with both the public and private sectors is key to creating an environment conducive to innovation.
“Through research, Nigerian brands can create novel solutions and expand our economic horizons,” Bamgbose said. “We must foster partnerships with both local and global institutions to ensure that innovation is supported and that research contributes directly to national growth.”
Pastor Olukayode Pitan, former CEO of the Bank of Industry (BOI), echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of collaboration between universities and the industry for meaningful progress. He called for universities like UI to take the lead in establishing partnerships that bridge the gap between academic research and industrial application.
UIRESDEV Fair Committee Chair, Prof. Andrew Fadoju, expressed optimism that the ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration between the university and industry would soon yield significant results, benefiting both academia and the broader Nigerian economy.
The event marked a significant step in aligning research initiatives with commercial and industrial objectives, with the hope that such partnerships will drive the development of Nigerian brands on the global stage.
