Campus News

Egbewole lauds UNILORIN dons on impactful researches

…ICED Director advocates local-led research in Africa

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has admonished researchers in the institution to ensure that the results of their studies directly benefit the society, saying that this is a crucial mandate of the University.

Prof. Egbewole stated this last Monday (November 11, 2024) while speaking at a Workshop on Advancing Local Leadership, Innovation and Network at the University Auditorium. The programme was sponsored by FEED the Future, the U.S Government’s Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative and the International Centre for Evaluation and Development.

The Vice Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Olubunmi Abayomi Omotesho, praised Prof. Opeyemi Eyitayo Ayinde and Dr Khadijat Busola Amolegbe both of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management, for conducting researches that can positively impact the lives of local farmers.

Prof. Egbewole noted that the work of the researchers aligns with the Vision 1:10:500 initiative of his Administration, which aims to create practical solutions for the local community and advance the University’s goals.

The Vice Chancellor encouraged researchers to secure grants and engage in studies that extend beyond academic publications, adding that the workshop was a step towards engaging with local farmers and other agricultural stakeholders towards fulfilling the tripartite mandates of the University, which is teaching, research, and community service.

Describing the two scholars as proud alumnae of the University, the Vice Chancellor said that he was happy that they were championing studies that will provide practical solutions to critical agricultural challenges. He noted that their projects hold great potential for transforming the agricultural sector.

Also in her remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Oluyemisi Bolajoko Fawole, expressed pride in the two lecturers for their impactful research, which has garnered significant recognitions and funding.

Prof. Fawole, who is also the President of the Association of Nigerian Women in Agricultural Research for Development (NiWARD), said that she was happy that members of the group are making the Association proud.  

The Dean said the fact that 165 research proposals were submitted for funding where only 12 were selected for funding, with two of the awardees being women from the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Ilorin shows the magnitude of efforts these vibrant researchers have put into action.

The Dean, who also observed that the grant objectives have been successfully met through the researchers’ work, noted the importance of involving local researchers who understand the challenges faced by the communities they serve in their studies.

Speaking earlier, the Director of Research at the International Centre for Evaluation and Development (ICED), Mr Kwadwo Danso-Mensah, said the organisation’s effort is to transform the traditional model of research collaboration.

Mr Danso-Mensah explained that historically, research projects were often initiated by institutions in the Global North, such as those in the United States, which then enlisted local researchers from the Global South, particularly Africa, to assist. He lamented that this model frequently lacks the critical local context and understanding necessary to address issues specific to the continent.

To address this, he explained that ICED has developed an approach that empowers African researchers to lead their own projects, adding that instead of simply participating, local researchers can now originate ideas and shape projects that reflect the unique needs and circumstances of their communities.

Mr Danso-Mensah said ICED would continue to provide funding to these researchers and connect them with mentors from institutions in the Global North to support innovative and impactful research. He added that out of the 165 researchers who applied for the research grant, only 12 proposals were selected, with two scholars coming from the University of Ilorin.

The ICED representative added that the goal is to see Africans take leading role in research projects that affect their regions, with ICED also involving key figures in government and policy to foster partnerships. He said that this ensures that research findings have a direct pathway to implementation while ultimately transforming livelihoods and fostering sustainable development across the continent.

In her study, titled “Digital Literacy, Output Market Access, and the Demand for Rural E-commerce”, Dr Amolegbe explained that Nigeria is the largest digital market in Sub-Saharan Africa.

She, however, noted that there was subsisting disconnection between digital transformation and agricultural growth in the country.

Dr Amolegbe noted that only a small fraction of farming households used digital platforms to sell their products as she said that those who receive digital training were more likely to engage in e-commerce for selling their agricultural goods, which she said indicated the positive impact of digital literacy on market access.

The don, however, recommended a sustained policy support to strengthen the rural digital landscape through consistent policy backing as she also suggested investment that would promote digital literacy programmes in rural farming communities.

On her part, an Applied Agricultural Economist and Behavioral Analyst, Prof. Opeyemi Eyitayo Ayinde, whose presentation was on “Linking Financial and Agricultural Innovations for Women Farmers’ Resilience in Nigeria”, explained how agricultural risks could be reduced through adequate farm protection.

 According to Prof. Ayinde, there was ample evidence that farmers are increasingly willing to adopt the Stress Tolerant Maize for Africa (STMA) seed to boost productivity.

Prof. Ayinde called on government bodies and NGOs to organise sensitisation programmes through which awareness can be raised in order to support the resilience of small-scale farmers.