The acting Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Professor Anthony Elujoba, has said that “any research that is not developed is a waste. Researches should be turned into development and products that generate money.”
Professor Elujoba disclosed this during a visit to the Institute of Agriculture Research and Training (IAR&T), Moor Plantation, Ibadan, recently.
Professor Elujoba, who noted that he is acting presently as a soldier on a mission and a head of a transition that has a mandate to pave a smooth way for the incoming vice chancellor of OAU, urged the IAR&T to commercialise research findings.
“As academics, we are trained to solve problems. Every skill can be commercialised. Every research that you have done successfully, there is money in it. People expect magic from the Federal Government but failed to note that skills can be commercialised,” he said. He stated further that this should be a new dawn of research.
“Let’s re-orientate ourselves and turn intellectualism into money. That is what we will work towards and ensure it works well, even, during my six months in OAU.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the director of IAR&T, Professor James Adediran, noted that the institute is a multi-commodity research institute.
“As a national agricultural research institute that is university-based, we will continue to maintain a close working relationship as an integral part of OAU and will continue to fly the mission of consolidating the gains of the past and the innovations that the acting VC brings during his tenure.”