FUTIA VC Calls for South-South Universities’ Collaboration on Research and Innovation

The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, FUTIA, Professor Leo Daniel, has called for stronger collaboration among tertiary institutions in the South-South region to drive research, innovation and technological development.

Professor Daniel said effective collaboration among universities would enable institutions to combine expertise and resources to pioneer research innovations and develop solutions to challenges confronting the region, thereby positioning the South-South and the country at large as a globally recognised centre of knowledge and innovation.

The FUTIA Vice-Chancellor said the institution was making significant progress in Aerospace Engineering, aviation development and other flagship academic fields. He called for the support of relevant government agencies and stakeholders to enable the university to establish a mini aerodrome within its premises to facilitate learning, teaching and research in the aviation sub-sector of the economy.

He made the call on Friday, 11th September 2026, during a strategic forum organized by the Management of the South-South Development Commission, SSDC, to interface with Vice-Chancellors of Federal Universities in the South-South region. The forum was hosted by the University of Uyo at its Permanent Site in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

Professor Daniel, the first Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics in Nigeria, commended the management of the SSDC, led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ms Usoro Akpabio, for the initiative aimed at fostering inter-institutional unity and collaboration among tertiary institutions in the region. 

He pledged FUTIA’s commitment to contribute its quota towards the development of the region and the nation through innovative research, teaching, community development and global collaborations.

Speaking at the forum, the SSDC Managing Director, Ms Usoro Akpabio, described the engagement as the beginning of a more structured relationship between the Commission and universities in the region.

Ms Akpabio identified universities as strategic partners in finding solutions to the developmental challenges of the South-South, stressing that their expertise and research capacities must be integrated into the Commission’s development efforts and agenda. She tasked institutions in the region to profile their core areas of research capacities and capabilities for integration and alignment with the Commission’s sustainable development blueprint in various sectors.

She said universities should be among the first places sought for solutions, noting that the region possesses enormous human and material resources which could be transformed into sustainable opportunities through knowledge and innovation.

The SSDC Chief Executive also called for closer collaboration with universities in research, innovation, enterprise development, skills acquisition and human-capital development, particularly to harness the potential of young people across the region.

The forum provided participating universities with an opportunity to present their areas of unique strength, research capacities, expertise, facilities and innovations that could support the SSDC’s development agenda.

Other institutions in attendance at the maiden forum included the University of Uyo, represented by Professor Christopher N. Ekong as Chief Host; the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Obio Akpa, represented by Professor Joseph Essien; the University of Calabar, whose Vice-Chancellor, Professor Offiong Effanga Offiong, was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Professor Ekaette Enang, along with the Director of Physical Planning, Arc. James Ikpi.

Also present were the University of Benin, whose Vice-Chancellor, Professor Edoba Omoregie, SAN, was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Professor Christopher Osubor; the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, represented by Professor Ezekiel Agbalagba; and the Federal University, Otuoke, represented by its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Promise Mebine.

The SSDC delegation comprised the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ms Usoro Akpabio; Executive Director, Social Services and Human Capital Development, Engr. Preye Aganaba; Executive Director, Commercial and Environmental Development, Hon. Joseph Ugheoke; Akwa Ibom State representative on the SSDC Board, Dr. Nkereuwem Ebong; and the South-West representative on the Board, Dr. Bukola Braimoh.

The event also featured a tour of facilities at the host institution.