Egbewole Promises 24-Hour Electricity Supply By Year-End

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has assured researchers at the institution that a stable 24-hour electricity supply will be restored on campus before the end of the year.

Prof. Egbewole gave this assurance penultimate Friday (July 5, 2024) while declaring open a TETFUND Grant Writing Workshop organised by the Center for Research Development and In-House Training (CREDIT) at the University Auditorium.   

The Vice Chancellor, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Suleiman Folorunsho Ambali, acknowledged the current challenges faced by the University, particularly the recent disruption in electricity supply and the lack of essential resources needed to facilitate seamless research processes.

He urged researchers, staff, and students to be patient and make a collective effort to overcome these challenges, saying, “We are aware of the challenges of electricity, which is central to achieving a successful study. The administration has been working assiduously to achieve success in this regard.”

Pointing out that research is a key component of the University’s tripartite mandate, Prof. Egbewole noted that “the product of research is what we use in teaching and in community service.” He added that research “is very central to the Vision 1-10-500 of this administration, and it is very pertinent that we must be deliberate in our research policies. We must put up measures that will encourage researchers and give our researchers what it takes to compete favourably with their contemporaries across the world.”

While addressing issues such as the non-completion of research and lack of coordination among research teams, the Vice Chancellor lamented that these issues have significantly impeded research progress. He was, however, optimistic that the workshop would address these problems.

Prof. Egbewole reechoed the University’s commitment to conducting impactful research that aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in order to address local, national, and international issues. He said, “We want all our researches to be impactful and address local, national, and international problems, not just for the sake of publishing. The era of publish or perish is gone. Now you must publish for sustainable development.”

The Vice Chancellor also encouraged younger academics to learn from experienced researchers to ensure sustainability within the University. He urged Deans of Faculties and Heads of Departments to mentor the younger academics effectively, saying, “The future of this University belongs to the younger academics. Hence, I appeal to the Deans and Heads of Departments to mentor them well.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the Ag. Director of the Centre for Research Development and In-House Training (CREDIT), Dr. Abdulkarim Ayopo Oloyede, said that the workshop aimed to equip academic staff and technologists with the essential knowledge and skills required to successfully apply for TETFUND Institutional Based Research (IBR) and National Research Foundation (NRF) Grants, which are crucial for funding research projects that contribute to the advancement of knowledge and societal development.

Dr. Oloyede, who said the NRF initiative allows researchers to access up to 50 million naira for their work, highlighted the University’s historical success with this fund. According to him, “over the years, we have had a maximum of seven principal investigators in a year coming from this institution, while some other universities are getting up to 19 applications in a single year. As part of the Vision 1:10:500 agenda of the current administration, research development is a key priority. We have organised this workshop so that in subsequent years, Unilorin researchers can also have more than 19 research proposals approved in a year. With the right support, this is possible.”

The Ag. Director of CREDIT also announced the establishment of mega research groups within the institution, disclosing that these groups are designed to promote collaborative efforts among staff, research students, and external experts, aiming to conduct impactful research that addresses specific challenges and advances knowledge in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He said, “I want to emphasise the importance of the mega research groups and the necessity of allowing these groups to form their own leadership teams rather than having them appointed. This approach will ensure greater ownership, commitment, and effectiveness in achieving our research goals. Despite the challenges faced in the follow-up process, the mega research groups are still ongoing, and the university remains committed to their success. These groups are structured to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and are pivotal for aligning research efforts with the SDGs.”

Dr. Oloyede, who is a Wireless Telecommunications and Internet Governance specialist, explained that all future research proposals, Senate (Special) research grants, IBR, and NRF applications will be channeled through these research groups. He said that this streamlined approach is intended to foster collaboration, ensure alignment with institutional priorities, and maximise the impact of research endeavours.

He, however, encouraged all researchers in the University to consider joining a research group that resonates with their interests and expertise. “Together, we can make significant strides towards addressing global challenges and achieving sustainable development,” he told the attendees.