Former NUC scribe advocates increased research funding for varsities
Former NUC scribe advocates increased research funding for varsities
Prof. Peter Okebukola, a former Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC) on Thursday advocated a drastic increase in research and development funding for Nigerian universities.
Okebukola made the call in Malete while delivering the 13th Kwara State University (KWASU). Convocation Lecture entitled: ‘Universities in the Age of Quantum Thinking: Redefining Quality, Relevance and Innovation through Emerging Technologies.
He said Nigeria invests approximately 0.2 per cent of GDP in research, below the African average of 0.5 per cent and well below the global research leaders who invest 3-4 per cent.
Okebukola said the linear, compartmentalised, predictable model of university education that served the 20th century could meet the needs of the 21st century.
The Emeritus Professor of Science and Computer Education said Nigeria needed universities could exist globally and locally, research-focused, community-engaged, technology-enabled and grounded.
”Recognising the brain drain challenge facing Nigerian universities, the government should create competitive research fellowship programmes that makes it financially attractive for our best minds to build careers here rather than emigrating.
”Government should also establish tax incentives for private sector organisations that fund university research or establish research chairs in emerging technology areas.
”Also, government should mandate that a certain percentage of all procurement contracts include capacity-building components that involve Nigerian universities to build local expertise rather than being dependent on foreign knowledge,” he said.
Okebukola advised the NUC to, with support from Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund) establish a National Quantum and AI Education Fund that would provide competitive grants to universities that demonstrate commitment to these areas.
”NUC should request that all universities develop and implement AI ethics frameworks before deploying AI tools for admissions, assessment or student service, ensuring that algorithmic bias does not perpetuate existing inequalities,” he said.
The convocation lecturer urged KWASU to establish a Quantum Future Institute to serve as an interdisciplinary hub for exploring emerging technologies and their applications.
He added that it should establish formal partnerships with at least three international universities that were leaders in quantum computing and AI education.
This, he said, would facilitate exchange of staffers, joint research projects and curriculum development collaborations.
”KWASU should develop a comprehensive AI literacy programme that ensures that every graduate, regardless of discipline, possess basic understanding of AI, it’s capabilities, limitations and ethical implications.
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”For students and staff, we need a mindset shift from passive knowledge consumption to active knowledge creation; the willingness to explore multiple knowledge domains simultaneously and make unexpected connections across fields,” Okebukola said.
He commended the management of the institution for consolidating its identity as a research- active university and deepening its commitment to academic excellence, infrastructure expansion and global visibility.
The KWASU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Jimoh Shaykh-Lukman said the topic of the lecture was imperative as technology was the single biggest innovation shaping the world.
Shaykh-Lukman further said the university cherished synergies that add value and prioritises transformative ideas and innovations that contribute to the development of the society.
The Chairman of the convocation lecture, Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali said KWASU was poised to take up the quantum challenges given to it by Okebukola.
