The University of Ibadan (UI), located in Ibadan, southwest Nigeria, has announced plans to collaborate with the Nigerian federal government to address climate change challenges in the country.
The vice-chancellor (VC) of the university, Professor Kayode Adebowale, disclosed this when he received a representative of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology who visited to consolidate plans for a collaboration with the university on the Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP) to improve climate change problems in research.
Professor Adebowale noted that the programme was a welcome initiative, as solving climate change problems requires a multidisciplinary approach.
While appreciating the representative of the ministry for coming to UI, the VC stated that the University of Ibadan was the right choice for collaboration in academic research and innovation in Nigeria, given its antecedents.
He reckoned that the Global Cleantech Innovation Programme is a town-gown initiative, saying it is imperative for academics, research and industries, organisations, SMEs, and NGOs to collaborate for mutual benefits.
The vice-chancellor said the University of Ibadan has the structure to adequately drive strategic partnerships, disclosing that the university runs on structures and a committee system that is needed to channel the initiative and coordinate strategic partnerships.
Professor Adebowale emphasised that GCIP is a university-wide programme which is relevant to different stakeholders, faculties and research centres in the university; therefore, the UI management will ensure that the ministry shakes hands properly with relevant units to promote more strategic qualitative research.
The representative of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Abuja, Mr Ifeobu Ezenwa, stated that the GCIP is an initiative led by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
Ezenwa revealed that the primary goal of GCIP is to promote cleantech innovation and entrepreneurship in emerging markets and developing economies to address climate change challenges.
He said the programme aims to accelerate cleantech innovation, support early-stage startups and SMEs in developing innovative cleantech solutions, foster sustainable development, strengthen innovation ecosystems, and build capacities of national institutions, policymakers, and stakeholders to create a supportive environment for cleantech innovation.
Ezenwa explained that the programme seeks to identify and support innovators, SMEs and researchers who are tremendously involved in research in the university and help them to overcome challenges of taking their research output to the market, which are occasioned by insufficient funds and unfavourable policies and regulations, amongst other factors.
He disclosed that the benefits of the programme include funding opportunities, business acceleration services, training, mentorship, networking opportunities, investor connections, and capacity building.