FULafia VC Advocates Research-Driven Approach to National Challenges

The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia, FULafia, Professor Mohammed Isa Kida, has called for multidisciplinary research, evidence-based policymaking, and stronger collaboration among stakeholders to address insecurity and promote sustainable national development.

Professor Kida made the call recently at the opening of the fifth FULafia Annual International Conference held at the Mallam Adamu Adamu Office and Lecture Complex, Permanent Site Campus.

The conference, themed "Insecurity and Sustainable Development: Multidisciplinary Pathways to Peace, Stability and National Transformation," was the first international conference organized under Professor Kida’s administration.

He said insecurity had gone beyond conventional security challenges and now affects education, agriculture, the economy, public health, governance, and social cohesion. He noted that the complexity of the challenge requires collaboration among universities, government, security agencies, communities, civil society, and the private sector.

The Vice-Chancellor said FULafia would strengthen research and community engagement in areas including peace and conflict resolution, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data analytics, agricultural resilience, youth empowerment, and disaster management.

He urged participants to translate conference deliberations into partnerships, policies, and practical solutions, rather than limiting the outcome to academic presentations.

The event featured a keynote address delivered by retired Major-General Victor Ebhaleme and a lead paper presented by Professor Shola Omotola.