Barau urges varsities to commercialise research

Senator Barau Jibrin, the Deputy President of the Senate, has called on Nigerian universities to prioritize research commercialization as a means to strengthen their financial base and foster national development. Speaking during a visit from the management of North West University, Kano, Jibrin urged higher education institutions to adopt global best practices by transforming research outputs into marketable innovations.

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Do not leave innovations in laboratories or bookshelves. Patent them and create value from them.

"Do not leave innovations in laboratories or bookshelves. Patent them and create value from them," he advised, encouraging universities to emulate top global institutions like Harvard, MIT, and Cornell that leverage research and industry collaboration for revenue generation. Jibrin stressed that sustaining universities requires collective responsibility beyond government funding, noting that even federally funded institutions rely on external support.

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Top global institutions like Harvard, MIT and Cornell leverage research, collaborate with industries, and generate revenue through innovation. I encourage you to adopt this model.

The senator highlighted the critical role of human capital development in global growth, stating, "Human capital is the key driver of development globally. It is no longer about resources like petroleum or solid minerals. The number one factor of production in any nation is human capital." He commended North West University for its rapid growth since its 2012 establishment, noting its expansion to 10 faculties and a student population of approximately 30,000. Jibrin also announced a donation of a coaster bus to the institution.

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Maintaining and developing a university is not something that can be assured by just a single entity or person. It needs the assistance, intervention and cooperation of all.