By Stephen Adeleye
The Federal University Lokoja (FUL) has called for a strategic partnership with National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to build Artificial Intelligence labs and fast-track commercialisation of research.
The FUL Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof. Gbenga Ibileye, made the call at the 4th Engineer Joseph Oyeyani Makoju Memorial Lecture, delivered by NASENI Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Engr. Khalil Halilu on Friday in Lokoja.
Ibileye told NASENI CEO that Nigerian universities must stop producing research that “gathers dust on library shelves” and translate knowledge into market products.
He stated that under FUL’s Vision Plan 2026–2031, research commercialisation is a key pillar, to be advanced through an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub supported by the university’s solar farm and Centres of Excellence in renewable energy, agriculture, and biotechnology.
He announced FUL’s ambition to become a nationally recognised Centre of Excellence in AI research but stressed it needs high-performance computing, GPU clusters, and data centres.
“Without these, the aspiration remains theoretical. FUL is seeking strategic partners,”he said.
Ibileye noted that FUL would also launch an Annual Innovation Fair to link researchers to funders like the Tony Elumelu Foundation and BOI, with AI as a defining theme.
Ibileye praised the late Engineer Makoju, who donated a lecture theatre to FUL, saying the best tribute is ensuring research “enters the economy, solves problems, creates jobs, and advances national development.”
He described Halilu’s presence as proof that university–science agency ties “must be substantive,” adding: “We are ready. We are willing.”
In his lecture, titled: “Commercialisation of Research and Development Products: Prospects and Challenges,” Halilu said commercialisation is “the missing link in Nigeria’s development equation”.
He warned that innovations die in a “valley of death” between prototype and market due to weak financing, poor infrastructure, and policy inconsistency.
He identified university-specific barriers such as promotion systems that reward publications over patents and startups, weak Technology Transfer Offices, IP ambiguity, limited industry integration, and funding gaps that starve prototyping and pilot production.
“Nations industrialise not by generating knowledge alone, but by applying it within productive systems,” Halilu said.
He listed the stakes: economic diversification, job creation, export competitiveness, non-oil revenue from patents and spin-offs, and solutions in healthcare, agriculture, and energy.
He proposed six reforms: reconfigure academic incentives to reward commercialisation; strengthen TTOs with IP and business experts; and institutionalise industry co-funded research.
He called for creation of blended financing for prototyping; train researchers in business skills; and build shared prototyping and testing facilities.
Halilu emphasised that NASENI remain “a critical bridge between research and industry,” offering engineering development, pilot production, fabrication, certification support, and seed funding to de-risk innovation.
He called for joint commercialisation pipelines with universities, co-located innovation hubs on campuses, harmonized IP frameworks, and a national database of viable research.
“Universities must evolve beyond teaching and research to embrace a third mission — delivering economic and societal impact,” he said.
Gov. Ahmed Ododo, represented by the State Security Adviser, Cdr. Jerry Omodara (rtd), commended the family and the university for sustaining the memory and legacy of Engr. Joseph Makoju.
He urged NASENI to consider the university’s request to ensure students are well equipped and empowered to be technologically inclined for innovative ideas and creativity.
The Commissioner for Education, Mr. Wemi Jones, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Albert Alabi, promised to sustain the approval of engineering and technology programmes toward sensitising students to take STEM as a subject and course.
The representative of the Makoju family, Dr. Gladys Makoju, appreciated the university and its management for the honour bestowed on her husband.
Stakeholders at the event underscored the importance of patronizing made-in-Nigeria goods and services as a pathway to building a stronger, more resilient economy.
They called on governments at all levels to create an enabling environment that allows locally produced goods and services to compete and thrive.
The academia, they said, must embrace innovation and forward thinking, while students were urged to develop entrepreneurial skills and create employment opportunities before graduation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lecture in Honour of Engr. Joseph Oyeyani Makoju, hosted by FUL, brought together academics, policymakers, and industry leaders.
(NAN)
