Sambo Urges Universities to Tap Global Research Funding

From Paul Orude Bauchi

Emeritus Professor Abubakar Sani Sambo has urged universities in Northern Nigeria to position themselves to access global research funding by strengthening their institutional capacity and international partnerships.

Sambo made the call while delivering a convocation lecture at the combined 8th, 9th and 10th convocation ceremony of Sa’adu Zungur University in Bauchi State.

Speaking on the theme “Education, Security and Sustainable Development: The Role of Universities in Northern Nigeria,” the former Vice-Chancellor of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University said universities in the region must develop strong grant-writing skills.

Sambo urged them to mprove compliance systems, and build strategic networks to benefit from international funding opportunities.

He identified global development institutions such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, as well as development agencies like USAID, UK FCDO, and GIZ as key partners actively seeking collaboration with universities for research, capacity building, and programme evaluation.

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According to Sambo, the digital revolution has created new pathways for universities in Northern Nigeria to overcome long-standing barriers to education and research. 

He noted that tools such as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), digital libraries, virtual laboratories, and artificial intelligence-powered learning platforms can significantly expand access to quality education.

He, however, stressed that such opportunities depend largely on the availability of reliable electricity and internet connectivity, noting that energy access and digital infrastructure must go hand in hand.

“A student in a rural community can only access global learning platforms if there is electricity to power devices and connectivity to the internet,” he said, advocating for integrated, solar-powered digital systems to bridge the gap in underserved communities.

Sambo further called for stronger regional collaboration among universities in Northern Nigeria and their counterparts in neighbouring countries such as Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Benin Republic to address shared challenges including security, climate change, and resource management.

He added that platforms like the Lake Chad Basin Commission and the Pan-African University provide valuable frameworks for research collaboration and academic exchange across the continent.

The lecture drew attention to the need for universities to play a central role in driving sustainable development through innovation, research, and strategic partnerships.