Akure, Ondo State — President Bola Tinubu has challenged Nigerian universities to urgently produce research that directly tackles the country’s economic and social problems, saying the era of “paperweight” scholarship without real-world impact must give way to innovation and solutions.
Speaking at the 36th Convocation of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Tinubu – represented by Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu – said he was convinced FUTA has the calibre of researchers needed to drive such change. He urged the institution to “remain forthright and focused” to justify the confidence reposed in it by government and stakeholders.
The President called for a reset in university financing, warning that the traditional model of almost total dependence on federal subventions is no longer sustainable.
“The Federal Government does not have the intention of abdicating its responsibilities to higher educational institutions,” he said. “But the time has come for all stakeholders to have another look at the erstwhile model of absolute reliance on government for funding and rejig the educational system for sustainable financing.”
Tinubu pressed for stronger linkages between campuses and the productive economy, insisting that research must be relevant and usable. He urged academics to generate outputs that industries can adopt, commercialise and scale, describing university–industry collaboration as “critical” to national development.
Addressing the graduating class, he tasked the new postgraduates to deploy their knowledge in entrepreneurship, agriculture and ICT, creating jobs instead of waiting for government employment.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Adenike Oladiji announced that 1,030 students graduated from FUTA’s School of Postgraduate Studies: 91 Postgraduate Diplomas, 647 M-Tech degrees, 169 PhDs, and 123 graduates from the School of Professional Development. She noted that FUTA is producing doctoral graduates in renewable energy technology for the first time, underscoring its drive toward clean-energy research.
Oladiji added that all programmes presented to the NUC currently enjoy full accreditation, and highlighted FUTA’s growing global profile, with several staff and alumni ranked among the world’s top two per cent of scientists in listings compiled by Stanford University and Elsevier. She disclosed that three research groups recently secured international grants totalling £136,511, reinforcing the university’s research credentials.
Pro-Chancellor Prof. Nora Daduut thanked Tinubu for what she described as “visionary reforms” aimed at repositioning Nigeria, noting that harmonious relations between the governing council, management and students have created an enabling environment for teaching, learning and research. She said staff welfare and infrastructure have improved “tremendously,” positioning FUTA as a key player in the country’s innovation agenda.
