Sonny Echono, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, recently urged Nigerian academics to focus their research efforts on solving domestic issues.
Speaking at the 2024 Research and Innovation Fair at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Echono, who was represented by former OAU Vice Chancellor Prof. Michael Faborode, addressed the theme ‘The Rise of Research in Driving Sustainable Development.’ He stressed that research should evolve into practical innovations and products to make a meaningful impact on society.
Echono emphasized that academic research needs to target local problems while meeting global quality standards. He advocated for increased government investment in research as a crucial factor for national progress.
By tapping into the potential of the youth and redirecting them from illicit activities such as Internet fraud, Nigeria can better harness their energy for positive development.
He criticized the insufficient funding for research in Nigeria, arguing that true progress comes from robust research initiatives rather than temporary measures like food aid or protests. Echono highlighted the necessity of investing in research to foster homegrown innovations, thus reducing reliance on foreign technology and fostering self-sufficiency.
In support, Osun State Commissioner for Education Dipo Eluwole pledged that the state would utilize research to enhance food security, reflecting the tangible benefits of research in addressing pressing local challenges.
