Lack of funds has been identified as the major factor impeding students and lecturers from conducting break-through academic researches that can change society.This view was given by Oluchukwu Abba , a lecturer at the Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State , in an interview with THE WHISTLER.
Abba who noted that funding is key to innovative research, said many students are unable to carry on important academic researches due to lack of funds.
“Most university students and staff alike cannot afford the funds necessary to carry out a notable research due to paucity of funding bodies, even Nigeria.
“So, most times, researchers tend to work within their means,” she stated.
Oluchukwu Abba
Abba also advocates that Nigerians should show interest in local products by supporting it and engaging in local content patronage.
She said that government and the private sector need to encourage Nigerian students by paying them for their discoveries as this will boost their courage to create something that will benefit the world.
“The government and the private sector does not really encourage students to work hard on their projects, because if there are cases in which student’s discovery and the lecturer’s handwork has been given a boost by paying for the discoveries made, I think it would go a long way in changing people’s view on how to conduct projects,” she added.
Furthermore, she sees lack of relevant equipment as a major factor that has made outstanding researches in the nation almost unattainable. She called for the purchase of modern equipment at most of the tertiary institutions as they will help researchers in meeting up with current realities in the world today.
“We lack some important equipment necessary to carry out some researches here in Nigeria and this factor is a serious challenge especially in the science field.
“Also, most of the machines and equipment used in most of our institutions are outdated, hence the result gotten from them are not relevant in the 21st century,” she mentioned.
She also condemned the attitude of students who see their researches as a mere academic requirement and exercise. She admonished them to see beyond the now and look at how their inventions can boost the economy thereby empowering the society.
“Most times, students only see project as a prerequisite to graduation and not really a means of wealth creation in the economy; hence, they do not take the project seriously.”
However, all hope may not be lost. Despite the aforementioned challenges, THE WHISTLER reports that undergraduates are still coming up with some inventions, as exhibited at the 2019 edition of Committee of Deans of Engineering and Technology of Nigerian Universities (CODET) competition which concluded in Abuja recently.
At the competition, a notable research came from Landmark University, Omu Aran, whose students, led by Daniel Aanuoluwa Ayoola, developed an ‘Automated Irrigation, Fertigation and Hydroponics System’. The invention is a self-controlled system which takes readings of plant growth parameters per time and self-adjusts itself to the required pH and EC levels adequate for plant growth.
Other student’s invention includes batteries, solar equipment and drones.
In his remark, the Chief Judge for the competition, Babatope Alabadan, who is the Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti, affirmed that the competition was set up to encourage practical and inventive activities among students in the engineering fields across the nation so as to enable them translate theoretical knowledge to practical in their various fields thereby solving the challenges in the larger society.
