On Monday, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, underscored the importance of industry-linked research in the institutions of higher learning in the country as a crucial factor for national development. This statement was made during a briefing session held in his office in Abuja, where he received updates from the Chief Executives of Parastatals and Agencies that fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Ministry of Education.
According to Prof. Tahir, “The Federal Government is determined to support research linked to industry to synchronize research and the industrial sector to accelerate national development”.
The Minister called on members of the academic community to,” see research beyond promotion and career advancement, adding that overall national development must take priority over any other considerations.”
Mamman also promised to do everything humanly possible to ensure that industry-based research is encouraged to accelerate national development.
On his part, Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu expressed the Government’s determination to support the Tertiary Education Trust Fund in its efforts to promote industry-based research, adding that the administration of “President Bola Tinubu will do everything humanly possible to clear any obstacle on the way of research funding.”
Earlier in his briefing, Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Sunny Echono told the ministers that the fund has in the last two years sponsored over 65, 000 staff in Tertiary Institutions to National and International conferences, workshops, and training Programmes. The Executive Secretary briefed the Ministers on critical investments being made by the Fund on high-impact projects, disaster recovery & research grants.
Echono informed the Ministers that investment in research in varsities led to the Production and Public presentations of over 60 books in 2022, adding that more books will be published at designated publishing houses across the six geopolitical zones in the coming years.
