One way of thinking about academia is research. Little wonder a lot of grants go into research to further the interest of humanity.

Recently, it was thrilling to see a host of academics converge on Augustine University, Ilara-Epe, Lagos, recently for the second edition of its research fair and conference.

Held from May 31 to June 2, 2023 at the convocation hall of the university, it had as theme: “The Challenges of Underdevelopment in Africa: Leveraging Endogenous Research and Innovation for Development.”

Endogenous research is based on information inherent in a specific area or system, without taking into account outside, independent information.

Stakeholders at the event include, but not limited to the Vice Chancellor, First Technical University, Ibadan, Professor Adesola Ajayi; the Queen of Ilara; Olori Omobolanle Ogunsanwo; Dean of the Faculty of Science and also the Dean of Students Affairs; Professor Adesola Adetutu Ajayi and Professor Anthony Alaba Akinwale.

The opening speech was delivered by Professor Ajayi, the event’s chairperson. Professor Adesola speech’s was in line with the nature of the event and the goals of the Centre of Human Resources.

Professor Adesola shared a compelling story that inspired the theme of the conference. She recounted the story of Maryanne Bevan, also known as the ‘world’s ugliest woman,’ who has faced significant challenges due to her rare genetic disorder.

Professor Ajayi emphasised the importance of embracing individuality and finding beauty within oneself, as exemplified by Maryanne’s inspiring journey.

In addition to sharing the theme of the conference, Ajayi expressed gratitude to the sponsors of the event for their support, stating that their contributions enabled the research fair and conference to hold and provided a platform for experts to share their knowledge and ideas with Augustine University, its students and the wider audience.

Professor Christopher Odetunde, the Vice Chancellor and chief host of the event, in his opening remarks, emphasised the significance of collaboration between universities and industries, while highlighting the importance of translating research findings into practical applications and solutions.

Odetunde expressed the view that research, when disconnected from practical implementation, falls short of its potential impact.

He emphasised the need for universities to actively engage with industries and work together to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application.

He said, “traditionally, industries worldwide approach universities to explore their research and its potential applications. I believe it’s time we encourage industries to actively engage in this practice. By doing so, our students can become more relevant in the industry, as it is essentially a competitive arena.”

His remarks underscored the university’s commitment to promoting research that not only generates knowledge, but also leads to practical outcomes.

This approach encourages researchers and students to consider the practical implications of their work and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to implement innovative solutions.

Odetunde’s opening remarks set the tone for the research fair, highlighting the university’s dedication to fostering collaboration, interdisciplinary approaches, and research that can make a tangible difference in addressing the challenges of underdevelopment in Africa.

The keynote address was delivered by Mr Iyiola Tella, who represented the keynoter, Professor Adesola Ajayi.

Ajayi, in his address on the theme of the event, noted that a “region or nation is considered to be underdeveloped, if there is insufficient economic growth, little technological advancement, and insufficient access to endogenous essential services.”

He mentioned that underdevelopment in Africa is a complex problem with deep historical roots in colonialism.

Colonial policies prioritised resource extraction over local industrialisation, depleting natural resources and hindering long-term economic growth.

He further stated that Africa’s wealth has often benefited foreign interests, and colonial education undermined indigenous systems emphasising that dependency on foreign markets further perpetuated underdevelopment by supplanting local industries.

He said, “endogenous research and innovation will propel our universities to make significant contribution towards addressing several development challenges that exacerbate socioeconomic inequality and environmental degradation in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.

“To realise sustainable development in Africa, we need skilled manpower to orchestrate an effective synergy among the academia, communities, industries, government, NGOs and other stakeholders. Universities need to attain and sustain institutional excellence in capacity building, focus on endogenous research, and advocate for sustainable development. It is important to recognise the value of indigenous knowledge, groom endogenous competencies and embrace external support where available.”
While speaking on the contexts hinderances to impactful endogenous research and innovation, the experienced agricultural scientist noted that insufficient funding and limited resources are significant obstacles in many African countries.

According to him, the brain drain “migration of skilled professionals to other countries, has become a daunting challenge. Many talented Africans have moved to access better opportunities elsewhere, depleting the pool of expertise and hindering the development of local research and innovation ecosystems.

“Weak research governance frameworks, bureaucratic hurdles, and cumbersome regulatory processes also impede the progress of research projects and hinder innovation. We must create ways of streamlining regulatory processes, establishing clear guidelines for research ethics and integrity, strengthening intellectual property rights frameworks, and promoting open access to research findingsmigration of skilled professionals to other countries, has become a daunting challenge.”

He further urged the federal government to work closely with research institutions, universities, and industry stakeholders to align policies and foster a culture of innovation.”

To leverage endogenous research and innovation for sustainable development, Ajayi advised that African countries promote entrepreneurship, technical expertise and technology development, empower local communities, forge strong collaborations among the academia, industry and government agencies and most importantly domesticate the national policy on technology incubation/transfer at the level of universities.

He concluded his speech by stating that to tackle underdevelopment in Africa, a paradigm shift is needed. Collaboration, resourcefulness, and recognition of indigenous knowledge systems are crucial. Therefore, Stakeholders must support research and innovation for sustainable development, creating a brighter Africa for future generations.

At the end of the event, awards were presented in recognition of the efforts of individuals who contributed to the success of the event in various ways.

To enrich the fair, Augustine University invited experts and professionals who attended the three day event to share their insights, opinions, knowledge, and ideas with the university community, including students and attendees.

Notable experts were invited from Babcock University and Covenant University to contribute to the discussions and exchange of ideas.

The research fair and conference serves as a platform for intellectual discourse, promoting research, and addressing the pressing issues of underdevelopment in Africa. It provides an opportunity for collaboration, learning, and the exploration of innovative solutions to foster development on the continent. The event was sponsored by Zenith Bank, EPP Books Service, KOA Consultant Ltd, Universal Bipolar Consults and Stain Removals.