University of Ibadan and DAWN Commission, BOI Seek Partnerships for National Development
At the 2024 University of Ibadan Research and Development (UIRESDEV) Fair, the DAWN Commission, UI, and the Bank of Industry (BOI), among others, emphasized the importance of partnerships between academia and industry to drive Nigeria's development.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
The Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, University of Ibadan (UI), and Bank of Industry (BOI), among others, have emphasized the need for innovative partnerships leveraging research outputs to drive Nigeria's development.
This call for collaboration was made during the University of Ibadan Research and Development (UIRESDEV) Fair 2024, themed ‘UI-Town Connect 2024.’ With a focus on “Re-focusing Research and Innovation towards Scaling-up Nigerian Brands for Commercial Value,” the event gathered stakeholders committed to aligning research efforts with market-driven solutions.
Seye Oyeleye, Director-General of DAWN Commission, highlighted the importance of bridging the gap between research and practical applications. He stressed that such partnerships would support Nigerian brands in achieving their full potential. "We must ensure that research and development are not just academic pursuits but engines that fuel the growth of local brands," he remarked. Oyeleye also underscored the need to dissolve perceived boundaries between academic researchers and development practitioners, aiming for a collective approach toward national growth.
UI's Vice-Chancellor, represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Prof. Peter Olapegba, reinforced the idea that research must translate into innovations that drive national development. Prof. Oluyemisi Bamgbose, UI’s Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Strategic Partnerships (RISP), noted that Nigerian universities can play a vital role in creating brands and offering solutions to pressing national issues through research. "Research is the key instrument in the journey towards scaling up Nigerian brands for commercial value," she said, emphasizing the need for strong partnerships with both the private and public sectors.
Former BOI CEO, Pastor Olukayode Pitan, also urged for a collaborative “handshake” between academic institutions and the industry, indicating that partnerships were essential for maximizing research impacts.
UIRESDEV Fair Committee Chairman, Prof. Andrew Fadoju, expressed optimism that the event would strengthen the university-industry collaboration, with UI leading in facilitating partnerships between academia and the private sector.
