- Abiru says Nigeria must reinvent its research and innovation culture to stay competitive
- LASUSTECH praised for bridging academia–industry gaps
- SAIL Innovation Lab cited as a model for youth empowerment and tech transformation
The Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, FCA, has stressed that innovation must be at the heart of Nigeria’s development strategy, calling for a complete overhaul of research and innovation in the nation’s university system to keep up with rapid global technological advancements.
Eko Hot Blog reports that speaking as Special Guest of Honour at the maiden Research, Innovation and Development Fair of the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) on Tuesday, Senator Abiru said Nigeria must “re-imagine, re-engineer and reinvigorate” its research culture if it intends to remain competitive in a world driven by artificial intelligence, biotechnology, renewable energy, digital finance and other emerging technologies.
EDITOR’S PICK
- Africa Begins Rollout Of Breakthrough HIV Prevention Injection
- Lagos Sets December 27 For Eyo Festival
- Sanwo-Olu Urges Responsible Credit Practices to Drive Business Growth, Economic Development
He noted that the event’s theme, “Rebuilding Nigeria’s Research and University System in a Fast-Changing Global Environment,” reinforces the urgent need for higher institutions to evolve into engines of economic growth through knowledge enterprise and industry-focused innovation.
Senator Abiru, co-founder of the SAIL Empowerment Foundation, commended LASUSTECH for fostering stronger links between academia and industry, describing the approach as consistent with global models like Silicon Valley in the United States, Germany’s research–industry synergy and South Korea’s university–government–industry innovation partnerships.
Bringing the message home, he highlighted the impact of the SAIL Innovation Lab in Ikorodu, a project he founded alongside his wife, Feyisola.
The senator said the initiative demonstrates the transformative power of equipping young Nigerians with digital and entrepreneurial skills, noting that “many of our youths are now software engineers, product designers, data scientists and startup founders making their mark nationally and internationally.”
He praised LASUSTECH for developing similar structures that empower students to convert research into practical solutions across sectors including food security, energy, transportation, health, urbanisation and digital transformation.
Abiru, who chairs the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, reaffirmed his commitment to championing legislation that strengthens Nigeria’s research and innovation ecosystem, expands startup funding, supports tech entrepreneurship, accelerates digital transformation and enhances university research capacity.
“Nigeria can innovate at scale. Nigeria can build research-driven industries,” he said. “But it requires academia, industry and government working collaboratively and intentionally.”
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olumuyiwa Odusanya, and the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Francis Meshioye, President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), joined other speakers in urging participants to explore emerging opportunities in innovation, referencing the success of the SAIL Innovation Lab.
