Prof. Isaac Adewole, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan(UI), said on Sunday in Ibadan, that the institution would partner Galilee Institute of Management, Israel, in the areas of research development.
He said that the two institutions would sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)that would include modalities to deepen research in technology and health.
Adewole, who spoke at the 64th Interdisciplinary Discourse of the Postgraduate School, decried under-funding of research in Nigeria.
The vice-chancellor said that Nigeria cannot compete globally without strengthening research.
“The successes recorded in Israel are a pointer to the fact that only Nigerians can turn around positively the fortunes of Nigeria with determination and commitment” he said.
He urged the incoming administration to invest in research, and properly fund tertiary institutions in order to place Nigeria tops among the comity of nations.
In his lecture entitled “Higher Education and National Development: Lessons for Nigeria,” the President of Galilee Institute, Dr Joseph Shevel, said Nigeria has failed to utilise all resources nature blessed the country with.
He said that Nigeria spends 11billion US dollars yearly importing wheat, rice, sugar and fish, making the country the largest importer of wheat and second largest importer of rice globally.
Shevel noted that Nigeria can be a global superpower in agriculture if it invests in research development, agriculture, water and environmental management, and make deforestation a criminal act.
He said that without oil, water and land, Israel was a high-tech country, competing globally with 67 years investment in quality research and development.
“ Nigeria wastes a lot of water which would have been used in irrigation farming to develop agro-based industries which will produce most of the foods being imported by Nigeria.
“Currently Nigeria ranks 182 in research and development in the World, with 0.2 per cent investment in higher education while Israel is ranked 3rd.
“The less desired education being offered by Nigeria was responsible for the mass exodus of 46,000 Nigerian students yearly in search of quality education abroad,’’ he said.
He said that Nigerians are paying huge amount on education abroad and urged government to redress the situation by increasing investment in education.
Prof. Olusegun Ajiboye, the Ibadan Zone Coordinator, of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), noted that Nigeria would not develop beyond the present level if its leaders failed to invest in education.
He mentioned countries like South Africa, Ghana, and Kenya among others who have started reaping from their investment on education.(NAN)
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