The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, and the University of Ibadan (UI) have called for stronger collaboration between Nigerian universities and the industrial sector to drive innovation, accelerate development, and meet societal needs at both national and global levels.

The key stakeholders emphasised that collaboration is a strategic pathway to accelerate innovation, address societal needs, and foster sustainable national and global development.

They made the call at the maiden edition of the University-Industry Conference, themed “Research, Innovation and Development: A Tripod for Meeting Societal Needs,” held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, as part of activities marking the university’s 77th Foundation Day and Convocation ceremonies.

The conference was jointly convened by NACCIMA, DAWN Commission, and the premier university.
President of NACCIMA, Mr. Jani Ibrahim, in an address delivered by the CEO of Lubcon Africa, Mr. Taiye Williams, underscored the urgent need for structured collaboration between the academic community and industry players to bridge the gap between research and practical application.

“Today, we converge under a shared vision to strengthen the bond between universities and industries to foster innovation that serves humanity and accelerates development,” Ibrahim stated.

He noted that for too long, academia and industry have operated in silos, with universities focused on discovery and industries on application, adding that sustainable progress can only occur when both sectors work hand-in-hand.

“When academia and industry collaborate, something powerful happens: knowledge meets necessity, research gains relevance, and innovation gains direction. This partnership transforms abstract ideas into actionable solutions that can directly impact society,” he said.

In his goodwill message, the Director-General of the DAWN Commission, Mr. Seye Oyeleye, described the conference as a critical platform for dialogue, co-creation, and partnership between knowledge creators and users. He called for the institutionalisation of academia-industry-government synergy to ensure research outcomes translate into tangible impact.

“Universities gain access to real-world challenges and funding, while industries benefit from fresh ideas, cutting-edge research, and skilled talent. Unfortunately, such synergy is still lacking in our ecosystem. This initiative seeks to change that,” he said.

Oyeleye lauded the University of Ibadan for its foresight in organising the event, saying the institution has demonstrated a commitment to aligning research with national development goals.

In his opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, described the roundtable as a cornerstone of activities marking the university’s 77th Convocation and Foundation Day.

“As Nigeria’s premier university, we are re-dedicating ourselves to the founding mandate of UI, to be a catalyst for national development. This conference is a call for meaningful partnership between academia and industry to strengthen the tripod of research, innovation, and development,” he said.

Adebowale stated that the university is open to collaboration, urging private sector leaders to walk alongside the institution in creating solutions that meet pressing societal needs.

Other speakers, including the Provost of UI’s Postgraduate College, Professor Ayodeji Samson Ogunjuyigbe, and the DVC (Research, Innovation, and Strategic Partnerships), Prof. Yemisi Bamgbose (SAN), represented by Prof. Simisola Akintola, also stressed the need to institutionalise university-industry linkages.

They all agreed that research and innovation remain pivotal to the nation’s development and must be anchored on strategic collaboration.

Earlier, the Chairman of the UI Research and Development Fair Committee (UI-RESDEV), Professor Andrew Olu Fadoju, led a delegation, including Dr Oluseyi Ajayi and others, to the Vice-Chancellor’s office, where they were received by top university officials, including the Registrar, Mr. Ganiyu Saliu. Fadoju emphasised the importance of translating university research into industry-ready products and services.