President Muhammadu Buhari has charged Nigerian universities to intensify efforts at making discoveries and inventions that can assist the development of the country.
He made the call on Saturday in Dutsinma, Katsina State, in his address at the fourth convocation of the Federal University, Dutsinma (FUDMA).
The president, represented by Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, a former Deputy Governor of Kano State, said, “Research, critical thinking, moral dispositions, discoveries and inventions should find natural habitats in our universities, as they do in several other universities in the world.
“Universities are supposed to be strong drivers of the country’s development initiatives for sustainable development,” he said.
Buhari challenged the universities for being slow as regards discoveries and inventions.
“It is not heart-warming that in our over 58 years of independence, Nigerian universities are slow in discoveries and inventions,” he said.
He, however, said that his administration would continue to do everything possible to improve structures and facilities in the institutions, and to enhance learning by training the required manpower through various interventions like TETFUND.
Buhari also urged FUDMA to partner with the Sokoto River Basin Development Authority to produce improved agricultural varieties and give the required scientific and extension support to the local farmers.
He said that this would enhance the farmers’ productivity and economic viability.
(NAN)
