Stories by Sam Otti
The Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof Julius Okojie, has frowned at the poor research work in universities in the country. He observed that out of the triple mandate of universities, research has suffered a setback as more time was allotted to teaching and assessment of students.
Okojie made the observation during a public lecture at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) recently, where he discussed the topic, Embracing Nigeria Universities Reforms to Enhance Innovation, Research and Entrepreneurship. In attendance at the event were the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Osasere Faraday Orumwense, the Registrar, Mrs O.A Oshodin, among others.
Okojie emphasised that research, innovation and enterprise underline the progress and development of any nation as well as its international competitiveness. He said the poor research output in Nigerian universities was a departure from what prevailed in the period spanning 1960s – 1980’s, described as the golden era of university education in the country.
The NUC Secretary noted that in terms of quality and quantity of research output of tertiary institutions, Nigeria was the best in Sub-Saharan Africa from 1960’s to late 80’s. However, he observed that the decline in research output in Nigerian universities became apparent from the late 80s, a situation he blamed on a number of factors including, difficulty in accessing research funds, constraints of equipment in carrying out modern research, lack of research skills, diminishing scope of mentoring junior researchers by seasoned senior researchers, as well as over- loaded teaching and administrative schedules.
He said Nigerian universities have under performed with respect to having a University Research Policy Document, which sets the tone for an institution’s research agenda, while providing force of law for the structures and systems to support its implementation.
Okojie said university’s research mandate should be stated clearly in the policy document, including the organogram for the management of the mandate. According to him, the university research mandate in contemporary times should take cognizance of the relevance to solving the nation’s social, economic and political problems.
On the way forward, he said part of the expectations of the Research and Innovation Centres established in universities should be to raise the profile of research. He also urged universities to focus strengths in areas where there is (or the university wishes to develop) a concentration of research excellence, including areas of applied research.
He said Research and Innovation Centres should maximize external research funding and help to position and promote the university’s areas of research excellence. Part of the duties, he explained, was to build the university’s research reputation and serve as vehicles for engaging with other research intuitions and industry. as well as facilitate interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary relationships.
Okojie further explained the steps taken by the National Universities Commission to encourage research in universities through the establishment of the Research and Innovation Department in 2006. The department, he noted, facilitates the organisation of the Nigerian Universities Research and Development Fair (NURESDEF).
He said the establishment of the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN), which was commissioned in 2014, was another milestone in boosting academic research in the nation’s universities.
Part of the NUC role in research development, according to him, was the inclusion of research in the documentation for the establishment of private universities; as well as the Presidential Special Scholarship Innovation and Development Scheme (PRESSID); among others.
Okojie said policy and research endeavors should address national needs, while universities should develop robust research policies to encourage good research culture. He also called for collaborative research (symbiotic), leveraging ICT to bridge the gaps in research and learning. He further solicited support for the ongoing effort towards the establishment of a national science plan and national science foundation.
He stressed the need for strategic partnership between private sector, government and universities to encourage academic research. He also called for strengthening of research institutes and encouraging collaboration between universities and national research institutes.