The Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, has earmarked the sum of 1 billion Naira for the establishment of the Diaspora Research Centre at the University of Ibadan, one of Nigeria’s most prestigious tertiary institutions.
The move is in line with TETFund’s plan for diaspora exploits by funding education centres and facilities for the Nigerians in the diaspora to foster knowledge exchange, fellowship, research, and transnational projects.
This was made known when the Chairman of NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, in Abuja.
A statement signed by the Acting Director, Public Affairs of TETFund, Abdulmumin Oniyangi, stated that NIDCOM struck a deal with Tetfund to ensure the seamless operation of diaspora research centres in the country.
While expressing her admiration for TETFund’s transformative action, the NIDCOM boss, Mrs. Erewa Dabiri noted that the Diaspora Research Centre would be the first of its kind in Africa with immense potential to shape the landscape of research and development in the continent.
She intimated to the management of TETFund that the NIDCOM is in contact with the University of Ibadan, where the Diaspora Research Centre is to be sited to discuss groundwork, models, and implementation plans on the completion of the project.
Collaboration On Research
On his part, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, who received the delegation of NIDCOM, commended the Commission for their nation-building efforts, and advocacy for collaboration on research.
According to the TETFund Executive Secretary, the Diaspora Research Centre to be domiciled in the University of Ibadan followed the recommendation of NIDCOM.
The Executive Secretary added that an allocation of 1 billion Naira was provided in the Fund’s 2023 budgetary allocation under the Special Intervention Initiative of the Fund for the establishment of the Diaspora Center for Research and Development.
He said that “the allocation letter has been given to the University of Ibadan in May 2023, with the recommendation that the Institution submits implementation plan for the effective take-off of activities.”
While re-emphasizing TETFund efforts and commitment to research and development, Echono announced that an additional sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Million Naira was also allocated to the University of Ibadan under the 2023 budgetary allocation (Designated Projects) as fund assistance for Global Research Centre at the institution.
The Executive Secretary while stating the importance of the facility to the global research community said;
“The Centre is proposed to house a rich collection of African Diaspora and Transnational Studies resources, including textbooks, archival documents, audio and video tapes, online resources, microfilms, and other related materials.
“It is as well intended to serve as a flagship scientific hub for teaching, research, and other academic activities related to diaspora and transnational studies.
“The proposal indicates that the proposed facility shall be an incubator for hosting experts, practitioners, and policy professionals with interest and experience in research, including hosting fellowship and exchange programmes to produce truly globally impactful diaspora and transnational knowledge.”
Stressing further on the purpose of the research centre, he promised that the facility would drive collaborations and interface sessions with local and foreign policy formulating institutions.
Echono while briefing on the implementation plan from the host Institution stated explicitly that “The University of Ibadan is presently perfecting plans for signing of the MOU with NIDCOM, which is the collaborating institution that has been interfacing with TETFund on Diaspora Centre of Excellence project together with NIDCOM.
“The University has also initiated the search for a TETFund-accredited firm to set about the design of the structure in conformity with the value of the awarded grant while interfacing with the University of Ibadan.”
Mercy Chukwudiebere
