The National Universities Commission has urged Nigerian universities to become stronger drivers of entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic development through closer collaboration with industry leaders, government agencies, and international institutions.
Speaking at a conference on academic entrepreneurship and technology transfer in Abuja, the commission’s Executive Secretary, Professor Abdullahi Ribadu, said universities must adapt to changing global realities by creating solutions that directly benefit society.
Represented by the Director of Research, Information and Technology, Lawal Farouk, he noted that higher institutions are increasingly expected to contribute beyond classroom teaching and academic research.
“This conference comes at an important time for university education, both internationally and within Nigeria.
“Across the world, universities are increasingly being called upon to move beyond their traditional roles of teaching and research and become centres of creativity, enterprise, and societal transformation.”
Ribadu said the commission is implementing reforms aimed at producing graduates who possess not only academic qualifications but also practical skills needed in today’s economy.
“The National Universities Commission recognises that the future of higher education depends on its ability to prepare graduates for a rapidly changing world.”
He explained that the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards framework was introduced to promote entrepreneurship, digital literacy, innovation, and critical thinking among students.
“The CCMAS framework seeks to equip students not only with disciplinary knowledge, but also with entrepreneurial skills, digital competencies, critical thinking, and the adaptability required in today’s workplace.”
The NUC boss added that universities should focus on turning research outcomes into products, businesses, and solutions that can create real value for society.
“Increasingly, the success of modern universities will not be measured only by the quality of teaching and research. It will also be measured by their ability to convert ideas into innovation, innovation into enterprise, and research into societal impact.”
He also highlighted the need for stronger partnerships among stakeholders to support innovation and sustainable development.
“Achieving this requires stronger partnerships among academia, government, industry and investors. It also requires institutional cultures that encourage creativity and reward innovation.”
Ribadu described the commission’s collaboration with German universities as an important opportunity to strengthen research, innovation, and knowledge exchange.
“Our partnership with the University of Koblenz and the University of Erfurt demonstrates the value of partnerships in advancing these goals.”
During the event, German scholar Harald Korflesch called for greater efforts to transform university research into commercially viable products and businesses. He observed that many institutions have entrepreneurship initiatives but often struggle to achieve meaningful commercial success.
“So there is no budget. This is really something, again, which is driven by our heart, our own initiative.”
He stressed that universities must do more to bridge the gap between innovation and market success.
“We are very good at research and innovation, but we are not able to commercialise enough. We are not able to make much more out of the research.”
Korflesch urged institutions to improve entrepreneurship training, strengthen ties with industry, and provide better support for turning research ideas into successful ventures.
“it’s not about shall we do it, it is set, but how and how well we can do it.”