NIIA harp on critical research to address terrorism in Africa

Director General (DG), Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Prof Eghosa Osaghae has emphasised the need for critical and relevant research, stating that the kinds of terrorism or battles now occurring in the Sahel region are not textbook equivalent but require innovative research methods.

He said this at the ongoing Advanced Training Workshop on Research Methodology and Grant Making for IR Practitioners organised by NIIA in partnership with Cases Studies Consulting Limited.

According to him, in the Sahel for instance where things are changing, researchers can no longer use the same frameworks and paradigms of the past, but must begin to critically rethink and review issues.

“These kinds of workshops challenge researchers to review methodological tools, especially theory and frameworks and better understand situations,” Osaghae added.

Prof noted that the core of the institute’s work is research and in the current fast changing world filled with uncertainties one needs to be equipped with tools needed to adjust to the changes while making sense of it.

Chairman, Lead Consultant, Case Studies Consulting Ltd., Professor Oka Obono, speaking on “A fractal guide to research process”, said that writing is a mode of thinking, while urging the participants to continually write as it is a mechanism to clarify thoughts.

Tasking participants to think critically, he said that in today’s society, scientists are the modern day seers.

He suggested that contrary to beliefs there are also financial benefits to writing books which comes in the form of royalties and could be an investment in the individual’s family even after death.

“We need to make our own stories heard as younger scholars would see it tomorrow and identify it as a trail to be followed,” he added.