The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda, has announced a ₦100 million research grant for Akwa Ibom State University, marking a major push to strengthen academic innovation and national development.
The grant, disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday, is designed to support high-impact research capable of delivering real solutions to Nigeria’s economic, environmental, and technological challenges.
Yilwatda explained that the funding reflects his commitment to repositioning Nigerian universities as engines of innovation, knowledge creation, and sustainable growth. He noted that institutions of higher learning must move beyond theory to develop practical ideas that improve lives and shape public policy.
According to him, the initiative will prioritise research areas critical to national development, including climate change adaptation, flood risk management, offshore energy production, renewable energy solutions, sustainable fisheries, and environmental protection in coastal regions.
He also pledged to facilitate international partnerships by linking the university’s leadership with relevant institutions in the United States. The proposed collaboration, he said, would enable the establishment of a world-class research institute on campus, giving students and scholars access to global expertise and cutting-edge facilities.
Yilwatda expressed concern over Nigeria’s low investment in research, which currently accounts for less than 0.5 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product. He stressed that strategic interventions such as this grant are necessary to bridge the funding gap and unlock the nation’s vast intellectual potential.
He further highlighted the role of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital modelling, and big data analytics in driving modern research, adding that universities must fully embrace innovation to remain globally competitive.
Drawing inspiration from world-renowned institutions, Yilwatda noted that interdisciplinary research and strong industry partnerships have transformed many universities into global innovation hubs. He said Akwa Ibom State University holds similar promise if its research priorities align with both local needs and international standards.
Beyond the initial ₦100 million, the APC chairman revealed that additional funding could be released if the university demonstrates transparency, accountability, and measurable impact in the utilisation of the grant.
He also promised close monitoring of project execution to ensure the funds translate into tangible outcomes that benefit students, researchers, and society at large.
Yilwatda added that research excellence must go hand in hand with quality teaching. He therefore encouraged the adoption of digital learning platforms, virtual laboratories, immersive simulations, and adaptive learning systems to improve academic delivery.
Describing the intervention as an investment in Nigeria’s future, he urged the university community to embrace the responsibility that comes with the grant and use it to drive long-term academic and national transformation.
The initiative, he said, represents a strategic partnership between political leadership and academia aimed at building a globally respected research ecosystem in Nigeria.
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