FUTA Marks World Laboratory Day, Pushes Research-to-Impact Agenda Through Central Research Laboratory

The Federal University of Technology Akure has commemorated World Laboratory Day with a strategic seminar aimed at repositioning laboratory science as a direct driver of innovation, development, and societal impact.

The event, held on April 27, 2026, at the Central Research Laboratory (CRL), formed part of activities marking the global observance, which highlights the role of laboratories in scientific discovery and sustainable development. The CRL used the occasion to showcase its capabilities and reaffirm its commitment to translating research outputs into practical solutions.

Delivering the keynote address during the maiden meeting of the Inter-School Research Laboratory Committee, the Director of the CRL, Prof. Folasade Olajuyigbe, described the facility as a fully functional, multidisciplinary hub designed to support advanced research across the university.

She noted that the CRL was established to eliminate duplication of expensive research infrastructure by providing a shared, centralized facility accessible to all schools and departments within the university.

According to her, the laboratory is not restricted to any specific faculty but serves the entire academic community, with a mandate to support academics, researchers, and students across disciplines.

Prof. Olajuyigbe cautioned against research efforts that end only in publications or degree completion, stressing that modern research must translate into real-world impact such as patents, prototypes, startups, and policy solutions.

She stated that the CRL is strategically positioned to support Nigeria’s development needs in key sectors such as food security, health, energy, and industrial innovation, aligning with global calls for laboratories to serve as engines of sustainable development.

She further explained that the laboratory is strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration across Engineering, Science, Environmental Technology, Agriculture, and Life Sciences, noting that transformative innovation often emerges from cross-disciplinary engagement.

The CRL Director also disclosed the constitution of an Inter-School Research Committee with representation from all schools in the university to improve coordination, responsiveness, and research efficiency.

She outlined the structure of the CRL, which comprises four major units: the Analytical Laboratory, Bioresearch Laboratory, Nutritional Laboratory, and Diagnostic Laboratory.

Prof. Olajuyigbe listed key equipment in the facility, including spectrophotometers, centrifuges, gel electrophoresis systems, freeze dryers, bomb calorimeters, Soxhlet apparatus, autoclaves, hematology analyzers, incubators, and histology equipment, among others.

She urged increased utilization of the facility by the university community, noting that services are offered at subsidized rates to ensure accessibility, while also sustaining equipment maintenance and operational efficiency.

She added that capacity building remains central to the CRL’s strategy, emphasizing that skilled personnel are essential to maximizing the value of advanced scientific infrastructure.

As part of its long-term strategy, the laboratory has also institutionalised an Annual Research Seminar, which will be aligned with the needs identified by the new inter-school committee to improve relevance and impact.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Oluwayemisi Aderibigbe of the School of Logistics and Innovation Technology (SLIT) urged the CRL to prioritise equipment with cross-disciplinary applications to ensure broader institutional benefit.

She also called for affordable pricing structures, especially for students, noting that high analysis costs often limit research quality in developing environments.

Similarly, Dr. Titi Ologunagba emphasised the need for stronger visibility of the laboratory, proposing the use of digital media content such as short explanatory videos to showcase available equipment and services.

She also recommended structured training workshops focused on individual equipment, noting that hands-on capacity development would significantly improve usage and research output within the institution.

The World Laboratory Day commemoration at FUTA ultimately reinforced a central message: laboratories are no longer passive facilities, but active engines of innovation, collaboration, and national development.