Non-Executive Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Mike Obadan, yesterday, declared that the poor state of Nigeria’s universities remains a major hindrance to impressive rating in the creation and development of knowledge-based economy and society.
He stated this while delivering the First Emeritus Professor Julius Okojie Yearly Lecture Series organised by the Centre for Research and Development of Esan Land (CERDEL) of Samuel Adegboyega University (SAU) in Ogwa, Edo State, with the theme: University Autonomy And The Challenge Of National Development.
Obadan, who said it was shocking that the impact of Nigerian universities had not been felt in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, urged the Federal Government and stakeholders to purge the system of unproductive researchers and academics to advance the country’s development.
He said Nigeria’s obvious helplessness to address the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic was lamentable, saying: “No serious research project emanated from the university community in the development of vaccines to respond to the pandemic or medicines to contain the virus.
“We only heard of development of hand-washing appliances, which do not stand the test of time. Research and Development (R & D) is crucial in virtually all spheres of our lives, because it helps to make the world a better place.
“However, unlike in advance countries and some developing countries, R & D is yet to make the desired impact in Nigeria, as government’s policies do not prioritise funding.”
He argued that creating and sharing knowledge remained crucial to growing Nigeria’s economy and the society, adding that universities and research institutes should be repositioned to influence the direction and quality of research and to ensure that they live up to expectations as centres of research excellence.
Speaking, Vice Chancellor of SAU, Prof. Babatunde Idowu, said the university was committed to promoting academic excellence and human development, hence it instituted the Okojie Lecture Series.
He said it was important to establish his relationship with the university, adding: “Because of his commitment to the development of Esanland, he (Okojie) played a major role in the establishment of CERDEL.”
“To demonstrate his abiding commitment to the development of CERDEL, he led the charge in sourcing for funds to build the structure the centre currently occupies.
“As Chairman of CERDEL External Board, Okojie has continued to engage the centre in various research dialogues. This is why CERDEL is at the centre of today’s lecture.”
