Okitipupa, Ondo State, June 26, 2026 – A university lecturer has urged the Federal Government to bridge the gap between research and national development by ensuring that findings from academic institutions are translated into practical solutions that drive economic growth and technological progress.
The call was made on Friday by Prof. Dipo Akomolafe, a Professor of Computer Science and Digital Forensics, during the 13th Inaugural Lecture of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa.
Delivering a lecture titled “From Wandering to Wisdom: Breaking the Circle of Intelligence Blindness,” Akomolafe argued that Nigeria possesses valuable knowledge and research resources but often fails to utilise them effectively.
According to him, the country’s challenge is not a lack of ideas or expertise but the inability to deploy available knowledge at the right time for societal advancement.
He noted that substantial public funds are invested annually in research through agencies such as the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), yet many of the resulting findings remain unused after completion.
The professor stressed the importance of exploring indigenous knowledge systems and integrating them into national development strategies.
Akomolafe cited Ifa, a traditional Yoruba knowledge system, as an example of indigenous intellectual heritage that deserves deeper academic investigation and appreciation.
He maintained that many modern technological concepts are rooted in principles that reflect structured indigenous systems of knowledge and reasoning.
According to him, greater attention to local knowledge traditions could unlock opportunities capable of contributing significantly to economic development and technological innovation.
He further stated that indigenous knowledge is closely linked to the realities and experiences of local communities and should not be dismissed without proper study and evaluation.
The academic also argued that a more deliberate effort to examine and harness local knowledge resources could help address some of the social and security challenges confronting the nation.
He therefore appealed to governments at all levels to invest in rigorous research on indigenous knowledge and ensure that findings from academic studies are implemented for the benefit of society.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of OAUSTECH, Prof. Temi Ologunorisa, observed that a significant number of research projects sponsored with public funds fail to achieve their intended impact because their recommendations are rarely put into practice.
He urged policymakers to prioritise the adoption of research outcomes, noting that evidence-based solutions remain essential for tackling the numerous developmental challenges facing the country.
The inaugural lecture attracted academics, students, traditional rulers and other stakeholders, providing a platform for discussions on the role of research, innovation and indigenous knowledge in national development.