APC Chairman Donates ₦100 Million to Akwa Ibom State University to Boost High-Impact Research

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, has unveiled a major financial intervention aimed at strengthening research and innovation at Akwa Ibom State University. The APC chairman announced a personal donation of ₦100 million to the institution, describing the gesture as part of a broader effort to reposition Nigerian universities as engines of national development, innovation, and global competitiveness.

Speaking during the announcement, Professor Yilwatda explained that the grant is specifically targeted at supporting cutting-edge research projects capable of delivering tangible benefits to society and the economy. According to him, universities cannot attain world-class status without a strong research culture that goes beyond academic publications to influence public policy, drive industrial innovation, and solve real-world problems.

In addition to the ₦100 million research fund, the APC chairman pledged to facilitate strategic international linkages for the university. He said he would personally connect the Vice-Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University with relevant authorities and institutions in the United States of America, with the aim of establishing a world-class research institute on the university’s campus. Such collaboration, he noted, would help expose students and faculty to global best practices and make graduates of the institution more competitive on the international stage.

Professor Yilwatda lamented Nigeria’s historically low investment in research and development, noting that the country currently spends less than 0.5 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product on research—far below the 2 per cent benchmark commonly associated with advanced economies. Rather than seeing this gap as a permanent setback, he described it as an opportunity for visionary leadership and private intervention to catalyse change within the higher education sector.

He outlined priority areas that the research fund is expected to support, particularly those aligned with Nigeria’s environmental, economic, and energy realities. These include flood modelling in coastal communities, climate adaptation strategies in the Niger Delta, optimisation of offshore oil and gas production, sustainable fisheries management, and the integration of renewable energy solutions. According to him, Akwa Ibom State’s coastal geography and resource profile make it an ideal hub for such applied research.

Emphasising the role of technology, the APC chairman stressed that modern research must leverage emerging tools such as artificial intelligence-driven modelling, big data analytics, and global digital research platforms. He argued that these technologies are essential for moving research from abstract theory to practical solutions, especially in environmentally sensitive and resource-rich regions.

Drawing inspiration from global best practices, Professor Yilwatda referenced leading institutions such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University, noting how strong industry linkages and interdisciplinary research have transformed them into global innovation ecosystems. He expressed confidence that Akwa Ibom State University could replicate similar success by aligning its research agenda with local strengths while maintaining a global outlook.

Beyond the initial donation, the APC chairman disclosed that the ₦100 million grant could be increased if it is transparently and effectively utilised. He also pledged to personally monitor and supervise the implementation of the funded research projects to ensure accountability, excellence, and measurable outcomes.

Professor Yilwatda further highlighted the importance of strengthening teaching and learning alongside research. He advocated the adoption of blended learning models, virtual laboratories, AI-driven adaptive systems, and immersive simulations—particularly in disciplines such as marine biology, offshore engineering, and energy analytics—to better prepare students for a technology-driven global economy.

Describing the donation as both a commitment and a challenge, he urged the university community to view research funding not as an entitlement, but as a responsibility to deliver solutions that uplift society, strengthen industry, and advance national development.

“This intervention is about building capacity, credibility, and confidence in Nigerian research,” he said. “When research is impactful, universities become catalysts of development, and nations become globally competitive.”

The donation, announced on February 26, 2026, and signed by Abimbola Tooki, Special Adviser to the APC National Chairman on Media and Communications Strategy, marks a notable moment in the evolving relationship between political leadership, academia, and national development in Nigeria.