TGI Signs MOU With ABU On Research Investment

The Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State to solidify its commitment to research and education

Dec 10, 2023 - 07:41

TGI Signs MOU With ABU On Research Investment

The company says strategic partnership signifies a significant step towards fostering innovation across various sectors.

In a recent ceremony, the TGI Group’s Head of Strategic Partnerships, Habiba Suleiman, emphasised the importance of collaboration between industry and academia in driving sustainable growth. The collaboration extends beyond specific sectors, covering ABU’s 18 faculties and over 100 departments.

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Suleiman said: “We continue to see that while a substantial amount of research is happening in universities across the country, they largely end up on shelves. This is disadvantageous in today’s world, where data rules. Therefore, this collaboration is critical to building the nexus between the wealth of data domiciled in academia and practical policy solutions, that impact the sustainable growth Nigeria is long overdue for.”

Recognising the vital role of research in shaping policies, TGI Group is investing significantly in collaborative projects. Suleiman highlighted the company’s engagement with various stakeholders, including public, private, and international development sectors, as well as over 200,000 smallholder farmers.

To kickstart the groundbreaking partnership, TGI Group announced a research grant specifically dedicated to extensive studies into the declining cotton value chain.

Suleiman remarked, “The grant will immediately go towards research on Nigeria’s cotton value chain. In the past, the value chain thrived in 13 states across the Northeast, Northwest, and North-Central, with states such as Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina hosting vibrant textile industries. Today, that is history, along with all the jobs and livelihoods that sector supported.”

The Managing Director of ABUCONS, Dr. Umar Faruq Yaya, welcomed the collaboration, emphasising that research funding advances the frontier of knowledge and helps standardise policy formulation.

ABU Vice Chancellor, Prof Kabir Bala, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the crucial role of partnership funding from business institutions.

As TGI Group continues its pursuit of innovative practices and strategies, this collaboration with ABU is poised to make a lasting impact on diverse sectors, including agribusiness, FMCGs, pharmaceuticals, livestock and poultry, aquaculture and marine fisheries, banking and finance, real estate and shipbuilding.