Founder of the Tunji Olowolafe Foundation, Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, has urged Nigerian researchers to subject indigenous knowledge in medicine, agriculture, construction and food preservation to scientific validation to develop solutions to national challenges.

He cited the research of Chinese scientist Tu Youyou, whose investigation of traditional medicine contributed to the development of artemisinin, an important treatment for malaria, as an example of how indigenous knowledge could advance scientific discoveries.

Olowolafe made the call while delivering an address at the grand finale of the Postgraduate College Week, organised as part of the 65th anniversary celebrations of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife.

Speaking on the theme, “Promoting Research Excellence and Innovation in Postgraduate Studies: Charting the Future,” he described research as a systematic process of correcting societal mistakes through evidence, urging universities to challenge conventional wisdom and develop practical solutions to Nigeria’s problems.

He called for broader access to research opportunities, including partnerships that would allow people with practical expertise, such as experienced farmers, to participate in university research under proper supervision without compromising academic standards.

Olowolafe also advocated expanded digital and flexible learning, stronger university-industry partnerships and greater emphasis on practical research outcomes, including patents, commercialised products and solutions to industrial challenges.

Highlighting OAU’s research achievements, he cited a $5 million Gates Foundation grant secured by Professor Ibraheem Awowole to help reduce maternal mortality in Nigeria, as well as more than 70 patents secured by university researchers with support from its Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office.

He challenged university alumni to increase their financial, institutional and mentorship support for research at least tenfold, stressing the need for stronger collaboration between universities and other stakeholders to advance innovation.

As part of efforts to strengthen postgraduate research and learning at OAU, Olowolafe pledged that his foundation would provide solar power, virtual learning facilities and digital infrastructure for the Postgraduate College.

He said the foundation would install a dedicated solar power system for the college’s administrative offices, ICT centres and examination facilities, establish a fully equipped virtual learning and oral defence facility, and digitise and modernise the college’s boardroom.

According to him, the foundation would also fund preliminary research and pilot studies on a case-by-case basis to improve researchers’ capacity to secure international grants.

It would further sponsor specialised training in grant writing, donor compliance and institutional advancement.

Olowolafe commended the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, for advancing research and technology initiatives at the university, urging the institution to scale up efforts to prepare students and researchers for emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.

He also emphasised the importance of education in promoting social mobility, drawing on his own educational journey from the University of Ilorin to his professional career.