Etudaiye calls for research collaboration
By Tijani Adewoyin
As the University of Ilorin prepares to mark its 50th anniversary, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation), Prof. Mukhtar Adeiza Etudaiye, has urged students, staff and alumni of the University to deepen collaboration with the University management for the purpose of advancing research, technology and innovation.
Prof. Etudaiye made this plea last Thursday, (November 13, 2025), while featuring on “Countdown to UNILORIN @ 50”, a special anniversary interview programme of UNILORIN 89.3 FM, which was jointly anchored by the Station Manager, Mr Idris Akintola Ibrahim (Alooma) and Mr Bunmi Obafemi.
He said that with constant and positive collaborations among stakeholders, the University would be able to impact positively on humanity.
Speaking on the significance of his Office, the Deputy Vice Chancellor recalled that the DVC‑RTI portfolio was created in 2011, making it the youngest of the Offices of the three Deputy Vice Chancellors.
He explained that the Office superintends more than 20 units, Committees and Centres, ranging from research institutes to technology incubators, a situation, which he said, allows the University to focus on each area with clarity.
Prof. Etudaiye disclosed that through partnership, the University has generated roughly $50 million in internally funded research grants over the past two years.
In addition, the Deputy Vice Chancellor explained that the University has attracted more than $2 billion in external research grants during the same period, a surge, which he attributed to the growing strength of its research community.
Prof. Etudaiye acknowledged that power supply had been a longstanding challenge, prompting the University to adopt modular power solutions. “We are now seeing that power is less of a barrier than it was a few years ago, and this opens up new possibilities for research and innovation,” he said.
He further explained that funding remains a critical concern for higher education institutions as he said that the United Nations’ recommendation that 26 % of a nation’s annual budget be allocated to education has not been met.
