The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has announced a personal donation of ₦100 million to Akwa Ibom State University to advance cutting-edge research with direct societal and economic impact.
The Special Adviser to the National Chairman of APC on Media and Communications Strategy, Mr Abimbola Tooki, disclosed this in a statement.
Professor Yilwatda said the grant is aimed at repositioning Nigerian universities as engines of innovation, national development, and global competitiveness.
“Research is the soul of a world-class university, but research without impact remains ineffective unless it illuminates society, informs policy, and fuels innovation,” he noted.
He said that Nigeria’s investment in research remains below 0.5 per cent of GDP, far below the OECD benchmark of 2 per cent, describing the gap as “not a limitation, but a clear opportunity for visionary intervention.”
Beyond the financial support, Professor Yilwatda pledged to connect the University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Otoabasi Akpan, with relevant authorities in the United States to facilitate the establishment of a world-class research institute on the university campus.
According to him, the initiative will enhance global competitiveness and international visibility for students and faculty.
He further noted that modern universities must “operate locally while competing globally,” proposing virtual research clusters, co-supervised doctoral programmes, and online visiting scholar partnerships to position Uyo as a visible node in the global knowledge network.
According to the statement, the ₦100 million fund is expected to prioritise strategic sectors critical to Nigeria’s development, including flood modelling in coastal regions, climate adaptation strategies in the Niger Delta, optimisation of offshore oil production, sustainable fisheries management and renewable energy integration.
Professor Yilwatda stressed the importance of deploying emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence-driven modelling, big data analytics, and global digital research platforms to translate academic research into tangible societal outcomes, particularly in environmentally sensitive and resource-rich regions like Akwa Ibom State.
Drawing comparisons with leading global institutions such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University, the APC Chairman highlighted how interdisciplinary research and strong industry linkages have historically driven regional development and global innovation ecosystems.
He expressed confidence that Akwa Ibom State University can replicate similar success by aligning its research priorities with local strengths while maintaining a global outlook.
Describing the donation as both a commitment and a challenge, Professor Yilwatda said the grant could be increased if transparently and effectively utilised.
“This intervention is about building capacity, credibility, and confidence in Nigerian research. When research is impactful, universities become catalysts of development, and nations become globally competitive,” he said.
Professor Yilwatda pledged to personally supervise and monitor the implementation process to ensure accountability, measurable outcomes, and excellence.