Egbewole tasks members as KU8 marks first anniversary
The Chairman, Consortium of Universities in Kwara State (KU8), who is also the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has urged member universities to rededicate themselves towards achieving another year of growth, learning, collaboration and strive for excellence, which is needed to make the Consortium a beacon of knowledge, innovation, and academic prowess.
In his address entitled “Our Unity, Our Strength”, delivered at the one-year anniversary of KU8 held last Wednesday (January 10, 2024) at the Council Chamber of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Egbewole said that the vision for the KU8 is to establish it as a leading academic consortium not just in Nigeria but in Africa.
The Chairman of the Consortium said their aim is to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, establish more collaborative research projects with international partners, and continue to enhance the academic experience of all their students.
Prof. Egbewole added that the idea of serious collaborative research, journal publication and workshop on grantsmanship must move from concept to concrete realisation.
The renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria, however, said that the organisation will anytime from now become KU8+ as they look forward to welcoming newly established universities in the state such as the University of Offa, Offa; and Muhammad Kamalud-Deen University, Ilorin.
He added that, “Over the past year, we have witnessed remarkable achievements. Our joint initiatives have garnered national recognition, our Faculty exchange programmes have enriched our academic communities, and our combined resources have improved the quality of education and research facilities available to our students. In the past year, we have met to exchange ideas, held a national conference, embarked on joint researches, shared facilities, offered academic advice to ourselves, generated research ideas, jointly tackled the CCMAS project and bonded as a unit. Indeed, our unity is our strength as this collective relationship has blossomed to personal friendships. Our engagements have been endorsed by our proprietor, which served as impetus and elixir to the dream of a united entity”.
Prof. Egbewole, however, noted that the journey has not been without its challenges such as Integrating diverse academic cultures and navigating the logistical complexities of collaboration across multiple institutions, which have tested the resolve of the Consortium.
The UNILORIN Vice Chancellor noted that the challenges have only strengthened the commitment of KU8 towards achieving its collective goals.
Earlier in his lecture, titled “One Year After: What Next?”, a former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, who is also the pioneer Vice Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Prof. Musbau Adewumi Akanj, implored the leadership of KU8 to remain dedicated to the collaborative spirit that brought the Consortium together.
Prof. Akanji, who acknowledged the importance of unity among the KU8 members, proposed a symbiotic relationship between the older and younger universities, stressing that experience and expertise should be shared for mutual growth. He opined that the responsibility of supporting research teams from younger institutions was placed on the older universities, emphasising that both parties have unique strengths to contribute.
The Professor of Biochemistry, whose experience cut across several years of services at a private University, state-owned University as well as a Federal University, explained that new universities faced challenges in acquiring quality researchers due to their fledgling status, hence, he suggested the establishment of official adjunct arrangements among KU8 members.
Commenting on the type of research that the Consortium can concentrate on, the former Vice Chancellor encouraged KU8 universities to concentrate their research efforts on addressing issues directly affecting its immediate environment.
Prof. Akanji encouraged member-universities to focus their studies towards promoting self-sufficiency in food production at both the state and national levels, noting that solving local challenges is the key to gaining global recognition.
In another presentation, the Head of Africa Strategies at the Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, UK, Dr Akanimo Odon, explained the urgent need for a paradigm shift in the funding perspective of Nigerian universities.
Dr Odon, who said he had won £40 million in research grants in five years for different institutions, noted that government allocations alone, whether for federal or state universities, and private ownership of institutions, are insufficient to sustain the operational needs of a University.
Dr Odon underlined the necessity for a deliberate and intentional framework to reshape the funding narrative of Nigerian universities, especially the KU8 members, adding that, without such a transformative initiative, achieving sustainable and quality education would remain a formidable challenge.
The international business and strategy development expert strongly advocates for the adoption of the “Five Ps” as a strategic framework to ensure the attainment of high-quality research grants. These “Five Ps” encompass “problem, people, partnership, preparation, and practice.”
Present at the first anniversary of the Consortium were the Ag. Vice Chancellor of the Kwara State University, Prof. Shaykh Luqman Jimoh; the Vice Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Prof. Noah Yusuf; the Vice Chancellor of Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Prof. Kolawole Ajanaku; and the Vice Chancellor of Ojaja University, Ilorin, Prof. Jeleel Ojuade.
Others were the Vice Chancellor of Summit University, Offa, Prof. Abiodun Musa Aibinu; the Vice Chancellor of Ahman Pategi University, Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji; and the Vice Chancellor of Thomas Adewumi University as well as the Secretary of KU8, Prof. Fransisca Oladipo, among others.