Category: Education

ABUJA, NIGERIA (Agency Report): The Vice-Chancellor, University of Abuja, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, says research remains a critical driver of industrial development and national growth.

Fawehinmi spoke at the 8th Undergraduate Research Day organised by the institution, now known as Yakubu Gowon University, through its Centre for Undergraduate Research on Wednesday in Abuja.

The research day has the theme: “Promoting National Development Through Research.”

The vice-chancellor described the event as an important platform underscoring the role of research in driving national development.

He stressed that innovative research and creativity were indispensable in modern times, noting that industrial growth globally was powered by ideas and scientific breakthroughs.

“Today is a day of intellectual harvest. Today is a day of talent identification, where we are going to know some of our modern scientists and artists.

“We want to nurture them to become world-class scientists in the near future”, he said.

According to him, the university stands on three tripod which include teaching, research and community service.

He added that innovative research and creativity remained central to industrial advancement and the expansion of knowledge across disciplines.

Fawehinmi expressed confidence that the research outcomes would strengthen the institution’s technological innovation and empowerment drive while deepening research capacity in diverse fields.

He commended the Director of the Centre and facilitators for sustaining the undergraduate research initiative.

Similarly, the Director, Centre for Undergraduate Research, Prof. Sunday Ejaro, said the centre’s mission was to promote a strong research culture among undergraduate students.

Ejaro said the centre also empowered students to develop solutions to national challenges, adding that the research day theme aligned with its mandate.

According to him, the centre aims to translate students’ research findings into entrepreneurial ventures by collaborating with industry partners and the University Centre for Entrepreneurship Development.

He explained that as part of its mandate, the centre annually invited undergraduate students to bid competitively for research grant in various thematic areas.

“In 2024/2025 academic session, six teams were awarded research grants of various amounts after a competitive bidding process.

“Today, we are gathered to listen to them as they present their research findings. This event marks a significant milestone in the continued growth and development of research culture within our university.

“Over the past year, these undergraduate students have demonstrated creativity, ingenuity and dedication in their fields of study.

“Today, we are thrilled to showcase their research findings, which reflect the diverse talents and innovative minds that are shaping the future of our academic community and beyond,” he said.

He appreciated the vice-chancellor’s support, noting that the research grant scheme had nurtured students’ curiosity, ambition and capacity for meaningful contribution to knowledge and development.

“It has provided them with the resources needed to explore ideas, challenge existing paradigms, and contribute meaningfully to both academic knowledge and societal progress.

“The students you will hear today have not only invested their time and energy into their research.

“But they are also contributing to the ongoing discourse between academia and industry, bridging the gap between theoretical research and practical application,” he said.

Ejaro welcomed representatives from industry, adding that their presence underscored the importance of collaboration between academia and the wider world.

“Your engagement with our research initiatives, whether through mentorship, funding, or feedback, is crucial to ensuring that the work we do here has tangible, real-world impact,” he said.

He called on the guest to assist the university in guiding the students on how their research findings could be converted to products.

He congratulated the undergraduate students researchers on their work, adding that they had shown resilience, curiosity, and a genuine passion for knowledge.

The director encouraged the researchers as they shared their research findings to take pride in their achievements and continue to push the boundaries of research and innovation.

“You are not just representing yourselves; you are also representing the excellence of our university and the promise of future progress,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlight of the event was the presentation of research findings by six undergraduate researchers.

ABUJA, NIGERIA (Agency Report): UNESCO Read and Earn Federation (UNESCO-REF) has partnered with the Police Officers Wife Association (POWA) and the United Kingdom Global Universities Application Portal (UAPP) to support Nigerians pursuing higher education abroad.

The President of UNESCO-REF, Abdulsalami Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan, said this at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja on Wednesday.

Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan said the new partnership was designed to complement existing student funding interventions.

He explained that while current scheme of NELFUND mainly support students studying within Nigeria, the new facility would remove financial barriers for those seeking admission into foreign institutions.

He said the pilot phase of the programme would commence at the police secondary school before expansion to other parts of the country by September.

He disclosed that the programme had partnerships with more than 250 universities across the world, providing broad opportunities for beneficiaries.

He added that the intervention aligned with the education strategic priorities and national development goals focused on improving access to learning.

According to him, eligibility is open to all categories of learners, including undergraduate, masters and doctoral candidates, regardless of institution type or location.

“This facility ensures that our collaboration is not only about opening doors to international university applications, but also about providing the financial backbone that makes opportunities attainable.

“It is this reason for our synergy, combining UNESCO-REF vision with UAPP Global reach.

“This is to dismantle these barriers, democratise access, and create a holistic framework where ambition is matched with resources and dreams are matched with pathways,” he said.

He noted that the scheme would accommodate students from public and private schools across the country without language restrictions.

He announced sponsorship of admission processes for the first 40 police secondary school students selected under the initiative.

He said the implementation of the programme would begin immediately, while payment structures would be managed by designated financial partners.

The National President of POWA, Mrs Elizabeth Egbetokun, said the new education partnership would expand higher education access for Nigerian youth, especially police secondary school students.

Egbetokun said the MoU aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on education.

She said the initiative supported the vision of the President, which prioritised education as a driver of national transformation, inclusivity and social mobility.

According to her, the programme will begin in police secondary schools before expanding nationwide to ensure no child is excluded from global higher education opportunities.

“I am especially delighted that this initiative will be piloted in the police secondary schools.

“From this pilot, the programme will spread to other schools and institutions across the country, ensuring that no child is left behind the pursuit of higher education and global opportunities,” Egbetokun said.

According to her, the partnership promotes transparency, accountability and innovation while strengthening confidence among parents, society and young Nigerians.

Egbetokun called on government agencies, private sector actors and civil society to support the initiative to improve access to education for underserved communities.

Mr Alan Bahia, Global Director of Business Development, UAPP, said the collaboration would streamline secure university applications and provide end-to-end guidance for Nigerian students.

Bahia added that the pilot included fee waivers, mentorship and priority processing for the first 1,000 participating students to reduce entry barriers.

He reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to transparency, measurable impact and nationwide expansion of opportunities for young Nigerians. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Memorandum of Understanding is under the category two and 15 of UNESCO-REF Strategic Intervention Programme-Alpha (SIP-Alpha).

ABUJA, NIGERIA (Agency Report): The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has inaugurated a seven-member advisory committee to drive the establishment and effective use of multipurpose laboratories across tertiary institutions in the six geopolitical zones.

The Executive Secretary, TETFund, Sonny Echono, while inaugurating the committee in Abuja on Tuesday, gave them one month to provide strategic guidance on the design, equipment specification, deployment and sustainable management of the laboratories.

Echono said the initiative aimed to strengthen research culture and infrastructure to transform Nigeria from a consumption-driven nation into a competitive producer in the global knowledge economy.

“Today’s event is part of the legacies of the present administration to build in this nation a research culture.

“It is also to support infrastructure that will help to transform our country from one of consumption to one that not only produces, but is able to compete with its peers across the globe,” he said.

Echono explained that the committee would review and update previously recommended equipment lists, considering rapid technological changes and risks of obsolescence.

According to him, the terms of reference include reviewing equipment proposals, recommending cost-effective procurement options and advising on adequacy of the management framework.

He added that the committee would propose measures for effective operationalisation, long-term sustainability, industry collaboration and possible revenue generation for the laboratories.

Echono noted that rapid technological disruption required constant review, stressing that sustainable economic growth depended on innovative, solution-driven research supported by adequate infrastructure.

He assured that the laboratories would have alternative power supply to guarantee uninterrupted, round-the-clock research activities.

Responding, Chris Maiyaki, the committee chairman and former Acting Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), thanked TETFund for the confidence in the committee and pledged timely delivery on the national assignment.

“We do not take for granted the confidence and the trust that you have bestowed on us to contribute our own quota in the successful execution of this very important national assignment of historic significance,” he said.

Maiyaki said members had studied the terms of reference and were prepared to meet expectations toward successful execution.

He added that modern, centralised laboratories would bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in higher education and research.