OAU @ 65: TETFUND EXECUTIVE SECRETARY DELIVERS DISTINGUISHED LECTURE ON RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

 OAU @ 65: TETFUND EXECUTIVE SECRETARY DELIVERS DISTINGUISHED LECTURE ON RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

By Tofunmi Adewusi & Anjolaoluwa Adedeji 

Activities marking the 65th Anniversary of Obafemi Awolowo University continued today,  Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026, with a Distinguished Guest Lecture delivered by the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sunday S.T. Echono, who called for a stronger alignment between higher education, research, and innovation as key drivers of national development.

The lecture, held as part of the Day 3 events of the university’s anniversary celebration, brought together academics, students, and dignitaries at Oduduwa Hall, where discussions centred on the future of Nigerian universities in an increasingly knowledge-driven global economy.

Welcoming participants, the Vice-Chancellor of described Arc. Echono as a seasoned public administrator whose decades of service in the Nigerian civil service have been marked by institutional reform and commitment to national development. He noted that the anniversary provided an opportunity to reflect on the university’s legacy while engaging with stakeholders shaping the future of higher education.

Delivering his lecture, Echono emphasized the need for Nigerian universities to move beyond traditional knowledge production toward innovation-driven research that directly impacts society and industry. He highlighted ongoing interventions by TETFund aimed at strengthening the research capacity of tertiary institutions across the country.

Among such initiatives, he referenced collaborative frameworks designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry, as well as digital platforms and research support systems intended to enhance academic productivity and global competitiveness within Nigerian universities.

The TETFund Executive secretary also used the occasion to highlight several ongoing federal interventions in the tertiary education sector, including support for student welfare, research funding opportunities, and strategic projects such as the proposed ₦10 billion President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Centre of Excellence in Intercultural Dialogue and Youth Empowerment.

He further announced a ₦2 billion commitment toward the project, alongside other initiatives aimed at strengthening innovation and development in universities.

He further stressed that sustainable national development would depend largely on the ability of institutions to produce practical solutions to economic and social challenges through research, innovation, and strategic partnerships.

He was also honoured with an Award of Excellence in Research Practice in recognition of his contributions to research-driven reforms and innovation in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.

The lecture also formed part of broader activities marking the university’s anniversary, which has featured discussions, presentations, and exhibitions reflecting OAU’s contributions to knowledge production and cultural identity over the past 65 years.

The anniversary celebration continues with a series of engagements aimed at repositioning the institution for greater impact in research, innovation, and national development.


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