Poor research responsible for low ranking of Nigerian varsities ― TETFund boss

THE Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Professor Suleiman Bogoro, has described as appalling and unacceptable the low level of research infrastructure and output in Nigeria, saying this accounted for the low ranking of Nigerian universities.

He lamented that the level of Research and Development (R&D) infrastructure and productivity in Nigeria stands at 0.02 per cent well behind South Africa and other developed countries with about 5 to 10 per cent.

In order to rekindle research interest and deepen the Research and Development (R&D in the country, Bogoro has assembled a team of experts to chat a new course for innovative research and commercialisation.

Speaking while inaugurating the ad hoc committee to deepen the R&D mandate of the Fund during the weekend in Abuja, he said the investment in research and development, as well as human capital, was central for economic success.

He particularly challenged the team to come up with an administrative and technical capacity building framework for the institutionalisation of research and development while also building all staff capabilities as well as mapping of national innovation ecosystems.

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He noted that all over the world universities and other higher education institutions are positioned to be the bridge between a productive society and knowledge growth, saying it was unfortunate that research that remains critical in this respect had been at low ebb.

He, therefore, called for the establishment of research and development Foundation to encourage growth in all sectors of the economy.

He noted that the Foundation, when established, would promote effective interface universities, government and the private sector, adding that the committee is set up would be mandated to create awareness and sensitization of R&D and innovation paradigm shift.

According to him, encouraging lecturers to embark of innovative research would curb incessant strike actions in tertiary institutions, saying no doctorate degree holder or professor with a genuine interest in research would live in penury.

He said: “The committee membership has been strategically constituted to include three key individuals that have over the years exhibited passion, academic contribution to knowledge, especially in the aspect of research, innovation, and creativity to solve human problems.

“They will assist the internal team to deliver on the TETFund’s mandate,” he said.

Members of the ad hoc committee include a former Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Umudike, Prof Placid Njoku serving as Co-Chairman and a United States-based research scientist and professor of Chemistry, Ibrahim Katampe, as Vice Chairman.

Katampe from Central State University, U.S.A, is said to have Nine patent, while Mr Temitope Toogun of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) and head of Human Capital Commission represented the private sector in the team.

Bogoro said: “As potential innovators in the development and commercialization of products, in most developed countries, businesses have looked to university research laboratories.”