The University of Ibadan (UI), in collaboration with the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), has called for stronger, structured partnerships between universities and industry players to drive innovation and accelerate national development.
The charge was made at the maiden University-Industry Conference held at the International Conference Centre, as part of activities marking UI’s 77th Foundation Day and Convocation ceremonies. The conference had the theme: “Research, Innovation and Development: A Tripod for Meeting Societal Needs.”President of NACCIMA, Mr. Jani Ibrahim, represented by the Chief Executive Officer of Lubcon Africa, Mr. Taiye Williams, said Nigeria must urgently bridge the longstanding disconnect between academic research and its practical application in the economy.
According to him, sustainable progress becomes attainable when knowledge production and industrial utilisation operate in a unified ecosystem. “When academia and industry collaborate, knowledge meets necessity, research gains relevance, and innovation gains direction,” he said.Director-General of the DAWN Commission, Dr. Seye Oyeleye, described the conference as a strategic platform for co-creation between knowledge creators and end-users, insisting that synergy among academia, private sector and government must be institutionalised for research to deliver measurable value.
Oyeleye commended UI for spearheading a conversation that aligns research output with regional and national development priorities.In his opening remarks, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kayode Adebowale stated that UI remains dedicated to its founding mission of contributing to Nigeria’s progress through problem-solving research and innovation. He encouraged industry leaders to collaborate more closely with universities to turn ideas into solutions that address current challenges.
Other speakers, including the Provost of the Postgraduate College, Prof. Ayodeji Samson Ogunjuyigbe, and the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships), Prof. Yemisi Bamgbose (SAN), represented by Prof. Simisola Akintola, stressed that research must evolve beyond academic publications to generate products, services and policies that directly impact society.Earlier, Chairman of the UI Research and Development Fair Committee, Prof. Andrew Olu Fadoju, led members of the committee, including Dr Oluseyi Ajayi, and others to the Vice Chancellor’s office, where he emphasised that a functional innovation ecosystem depends on sustained collaboration between universities and the productive sector.
