President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerian academics to intensify research efforts that can address the country’s pressing societal issues.
Speaking at the 36th Convocation of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), where postgraduate certificates were presented, the President emphasized the need for innovation-driven solutions. Represented by Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Tinubu expressed confidence in FUTA’s ability to deliver impactful research.
He called on the university to uphold integrity and maintain the trust placed in it by the government and stakeholders. Tinubu also encouraged stronger partnerships between universities and industries, urging the academic community to move beyond dependence on government funding.
“The era of relying solely on government for university funding must give way to sustainable financing models,” he said, adding that industry-academia collaboration is key to harnessing research outputs.
Tinubu emphasized the shared responsibility in funding tertiary education worldwide and urged institutions to produce research that can be translated into practical outcomes for industry.
He also challenged graduates to apply their knowledge through entrepreneurship, agriculture, and ICT-based ventures to create jobs and sustain themselves.
FUTA’s Convocation Highlights
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Adenike Oladiji announced that 1,030 postgraduate degrees were awarded, including 91 Postgraduate Diplomas, 647 Master's degrees, and 169 PhDs, along with 123 professional qualifications. She noted that for the first time, FUTA produced PhD graduates in Renewable Energy Technology.
Oladiji highlighted the university’s strong academic reputation, with full accreditation for all programmes and several staff recognized among the world’s top 2% scientists, according to rankings by Stanford University and Elsevier. She also mentioned international research grants totaling £136,511 secured by three research groups.
Prof. Nora Daduut, FUTA’s Pro-Chancellor, thanked President Tinubu for his leadership and reforms. She praised the institution’s harmonious environment and improvements in staff welfare and infrastructure, attributing the progress to effective collaboration between management and the governing council.
0 Comments