Campus News

Sola-Ojo commends UNILORIN’s LABTOP initiative, calls for replication across Nigerian universities

By Mustafa Abubakar

The International Coordinator of African Support Bureau (ASBE), University of Ilorin, Prof. Foluke E. Sola-Ojo, has commended the Centre for Laboratory To Productf (LABTOP), University of Ilorin, on its role in promoting innovation and research commercialisation as she called for its replication in all Nigerian universities.

Prof. Sola-Ojo made the remarks last Tuesday (June 3, 2025) in an interview with UNILORIN Bulletin in her office.

She described LABTOP as a groundbreaking model that connects academic research with industry needs, thereby creating real-life solutions to national challenges.

“Innovation without implementation is a wasted inspiration,” she said, stressing that the initiative demonstrates the University of Ilorin’s leadership in bridging the  gap between research and real-world application.

Prof. Sola-Ojo noted that the University’s strategic focus on research-driven innovations aligns with Nigeria’s national development goals, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, energy, and healthcare.

She added that with the right policy frameworks for incubation and commercialisation, Nigerian universities could develop homegrown technologies and significantly reduce reliance on imported solutions.

Prof. Sola-Ojo also praised the administration of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, for fostering an academic environment that encourages creativity, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship.

According to her, initiatives like LABTOP show that the University is not just producing graduates but also nurturing innovators and job creators.

She said that the LABTOP initiative is part of the University of Ilorin’s broader vision to become a centre of excellence in research, innovation, and entrepreneurship, thereby contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s socioeconomic development.