Abiru Advocates For Innovation-Driven Education For Nigeria’s Growth
By Emmanuel Daniji
Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, FCA, representing Lagos East Senatorial District, has said that Nigeria must urgently transform its research and innovation culture if it intends to compete in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, biotechnology, renewable energy and digital finance.
Speaking as Special Guest of Honour at the maiden Research, Innovation and Development Fair of the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) on Tuesday, Senator Abiru stressed that innovation remains the backbone of national development and global relevance.
He warned that Nigeria’s university system must be “re-imagined, re-engineered and reinvigorated” to respond to fast-changing technological realities, noting that the theme of the event—“Rebuilding Nigeria’s Research and University System in a Fast-Changing Global Environment”—captures the urgency of the moment.
According to him, universities must evolve into engines of economic growth by embracing knowledge enterprise, industry collaboration and solution-driven research aligned with national priorities.
Abiru, who is co-founder of the SAIL Empowerment Foundation, praised LASUSTECH for hosting a fair that reflects global best practices where academia and industry work as partners. He referenced successful models such as Silicon Valley, Germany’s research–industry synergy and South Korea’s university-government-industry collaborations, noting that Nigeria must adopt similar frameworks.
Bringing the message home, the Senator highlighted the impact of the SAIL Innovation Lab in Ikorodu, an initiative he founded with his wife, Feyisola. He described SAIL as a living testament to the transformative potential of digital and entrepreneurial training.
“Many of our youths are now software engineers, product designers, data scientists and startup founders making their mark nationally and internationally,” Abiru said, adding that young Nigerians excel when equipped with relevant skills and the right environment.
He commended LASUSTECH for building structures that enable students to convert research into real-world solutions, particularly in sectors such as food security, energy, health, urbanisation, transportation and digital transformation.
Senator Abiru, who chairs the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, reaffirmed his commitment to championing legislation that expands research capacity, strengthens innovation ecosystems, supports technology-driven entrepreneurship, improves startup financing and accelerates digital transformation across the economy.
“Nigeria can innovate at scale. Nigeria can build research-driven industries,” he said. “But it requires academia, industry and government working collaboratively and intentionally.”
The Vice-Chancellor of LASUSTECH, Professor Olumuyiwa Odusanya, and the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Francis Meshioye, President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), also urged participants to harness emerging opportunities in innovation, noting the groundbreaking work of the SAIL Innovation Lab as an example of what is possible.
