Nigerian universities have been urged to enhance their ability to secure international grants and adopt strategic approaches to resource mobilisation in order to stay competitive, globally relevant and financially sustainable amid a rapidly changing academic landscape.

The call was made by the Secretary-General of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), Professor Andrew Haruna, and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Optimal Delivery Solutions Projects and Corporate Services Limited, Ken Oguzie, at a collaborative research workshop held at the CVCNU Secretariat in Abuja, themed ‘Unlocking Global Funding: Resource Mobilization and International Grantsmanship for Nigerian Universities’.

Last month, The Guardian had reported the stark disparity in endowment funds between Nigerian universities and their global counterparts, with the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) N441 billion endowment funds dwarfing the combined N6.8 billion of eight Nigerian public institutions.

According to the report, this glaring gap highlights the challenges facing Nigeria’s higher education sub-sector, where alternative funding sources remain largely untapped, with Nigerian universities struggling to compete on the global stage.

Speaking on eligibility and institutional readiness, the CVCNU Secretary-General, Professor Haruna, said the global academic landscape has shifted, with leading universities increasingly relying on competitive grants to drive innovation, research output and growth.

He noted that although Nigerian universities are eligible for global funding, many still face capacity gaps including weak proposal development, poor alignment with donor priorities, limited institutional frameworks for grants acquisition, and inadequate collaboration—hindering their ability to access and manage such opportunities effectively

He said: “For many universities, reliance on government subventions remains dominant, while alternative funding opportunities—through international grants, industry partnerships, and collaborative research networks—are not fully explored or strategically pursued.

“This workshop therefore comes at a critical time. Over the next two days, we will explore practical approaches to strengthening institutional capacity for resource mobilization, building effective partnerships, and improving grantsmanship practices within our universities.”

Professor Haruna urged Nigerian universities to align their research with global priorities while projecting strong Nigerian and African perspectives.

“Our expectation is that participants will leave this workshop with practical strategies that can help their institutions move from occasional grant success to a more structured and sustainable culture of research funding and resource mobilization,” he added.

Speaking to journalists after the programme, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Optimal Delivery Solutions Projects and Corporate Services Limited, Ken Oguzie, identified three strategic shifts Nigerian universities must embrace to attract global funding.

He said institutions must move from individual effort to institutional strategy, from local thinking to global relevance, and from competition to collaboration, as funders increasingly prioritise solutions to challenges like climate change, food security, artificial intelligence, public health, and inclusive development.

“Grant writing is not merely a technical skill. it is a strategic capability. I encourage Vice-Chancellors to take leadership in this area. When leadership prioritizes grants, the institution follows.

“Our research must speak to these priorities while offering uniquely Nigerian and African perspectives. This is how we become globally relevant.

“The most successful grants today are collaborative—across universities, across countries, and across disciplines. Nigerian universities must actively seek partnerships, within Africa and internationally. Collaboration increases credibility, expands expertise, and significantly improves success rates,” he stated.

Oguzie added that the sessions exposed participants to emerging trends in global research funding, institutional resource mobilization strategies, compliance standards required by major funders and digital tools for improving research visibility and collaboration.

Lead Consultant, ODS Projects and Corporate Services Limited, Dr. Akanimo Odon, who spoke about sustainable strategies for grants sourcing, highlighted the importance of international partnerships and intra-university collaboration for successful grants application.

Also, Research Officer and CVCNU facilitator, Joy Ezirim, stressed the need for Nigerian universities to strengthen their institutional branding and global online presence to remain visible and competitive in today’s academic landscape.

She added that participants were equipped with practical tools and strategic insights to navigate global funding ecosystems, strengthen internal grantsmanship structures, and build sustainable partnerships with international funding bodies.

“The workshop also provided a platform for networking, peer learning, and inter-university collaboration aimed at expanding participation in international research funding opportunities,” she added.