The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, has commended research teams from different departments of the university who won the TETFUND Institutional Based Research Awards and a China-Nigeria Joint Laboratory Project for Soil and Water Conservation, as well as Agricultural Sustainable Development Grant, on behalf of the institution.
The Vice-Chancellor gave the commendation at an award presentation ceremony held in honour of the researchers.
He celebrated the research teams for upholding the legacies of academic excellence of the University of Ibadan, stating that the university management will continually encourage its staff to engage more in researches which keep the institution at the top of the league of universities.
Prof. Adebowale stated that a university is not merely known for its bricks and mortars, but ground-breaking research activities, stressing that its academic staff must be constantly engaged in research.
He said that UI, through its alumni, professional experts, scholars, comprehensive spectrum of innovations, human resources, and highly placed researchers, had contributed to the establishment and growth of other universities in Nigeria.
He reiterated that the vision of the University of Ibadan is to transit into a postgraduate university where cutting-edge research is carried out to impact society locally and internationally.
According to the VC, both older and younger generations of researchers are equally important, adding that continuity and sustainability of research is the strength of the academia.
He, therefore, called for collaborations between mentors and mentees in order to have protegees on the field of research, saying that the University of Ibadan is also favourably sensitive to mentor-mentee relationships.
Professor Adebowale stated that Africa is endowed with human capital, natural resources, and the demography to lead the world, disclosing that research collaborations at the University of Ibadan are focused on the development of the African continent.
He charged UI researchers to take full advantage of the opportunity of institutional based research grants, calling for collaborations.
He noted that inter-disciplinary and inter-faculty collaboration would engender breakthrough in research.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, Professor Oluyemisi Bamgbose, SAN, had earlier stated that research is the engine that drives innovation and solve world problems.
She had also commended the awardees, saying their hard work as trail blazers, who are positioned to break new grounds in innovation towards a bright future for Nigeria, is celebrated.
Professor Odutola Oshunsanya of the Department of Soil Science Resource Management and his team were awarded the China-Nigeria Joint Laboratory Project for Soil and Water Conservation and Agricultural Sustainability Development.
Awardees of the 2024 TETFUND Institutional-Based Research Grantees from various Departments were:
• Dr. S. O. Babalola and his team (Department of Arts & Social Science Education
• Dr A. M. Adegbore and his team (Department of Library, Archival and Information Studies)
• Dr Adedeji Tella and his team (Department of Science & Technology Education)
• Dr. Adetunbi M. Akinyemi and her team (Department of Early Childhood Education)
• Dr M. T. Gbolahan and his team (Department of Adult Education)
• Dr Oluwaseun Ariyo and his team (Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics)
• Dr Adeyi Akindele and his team (Department of Zoology)
• Dr. Olugbenga Akinola and his team (Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology).
Others are:
• Dr. Funmilayo E. Olopade and her team (Department of Anatomy)
• Dr. O. K Aromolaran and his team (Department of Geology)
• Dr Mary O. Ugalahi and her team (Department of Ophthalmology)
• Dr. Abiola A. Omokhabi and her team (Department of Adult Education)
• Dr. Oluseye Adewale Adebimpe and his team (Department of Industrial and Production Engineering)
• Dr. Folashade O. Adeboyejo and her team (Department of Food Technology)
• Prof. O. Ipingbemi and his team (Department of Urban and Regional Planning)
• Dr. O. S. Yaya and his team (Department of Statistics)
• Dr Yingigba C. Akinyemi and her team (Department of Geography)
• Dr. P. O. Ige and his team (Department of Social & Environmental Forestry)
• Dr. A. O. Adeyi and his team (Department of Zoology)
• Prof. Stella Oladeji and her team (Department of Adult Education).
