FUPRE Convocation Lecture: Dr. Obichi Obiajunwa Calls For Research Commercialization to Drive Nigeria’s Economic Growth

Mary Nnah

The Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE), marked its 18th Founders’ Day and 4th Convocation Lecture with an insightful address by Dr. Obichi Obiajunwa, a renowned innovation consultant, research commercialization expert, and executive director of Hutzpa Innovations.

Delivering a lecture titled “Universities Are Innovation Hubs: Are We There?”, Dr. Obiajunwa challenged Nigerian universities to shift from theoretical research to practical innovations that drive economic growth. He stressed that academic research should not end in journals but be transformed into tangible products and services that benefit society.

Among his bold proposals, he called on the National Universities Commission (NUC) to mandate that lecturers provide proof of having licensed their research outputs to industry before qualifying for professorships. He also recommended that NUC’s routine five-year program accreditation should only be approved if faculties have licensed at least one technology within the period, thus creating an incentive for commercialization.
To further empower young innovators, Dr. Obiajunwa launched ObichiPitchLab.com, a platform dedicated to helping students transform their final-year research projects into viable startup ventures. “Turning your final-year project into a successful startup is easier than you think!” he declared, emphasizing the platform’s role in guiding students through idea refinement, expert feedback, and funding opportunities.

The event was attended by top university officials, including the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Engr. Bello Gachi Issa; Vice-Chancellor, Engr. Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh; Principal Officers; faculty members; and graduating students. The Vice-Chancellor, in his remarks, highlighted FUPRE’s journey and achievements, while Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Admin) Prof. Doris Ogeleka noted that the university already has 41 registered patents and copyrights, reinforcing the importance of translating research into real-world impact.

In his closing remarks, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Engr. Prof. Ofualagba, expressed the university’s commitment to implementing Dr. Obiajunwa’s recommendations, recognizing the urgent need to align academic research with national development goals.

Dr. Obiajunwa further emphasized that Nigeria must take deliberate steps to build a knowledge-based economy by strengthening university-industry partnerships, investing in research infrastructure, and creating policies that incentivize innovation. “Nigeria has the talent and the potential, but we must create an enabling environment for innovation to thrive,” he stated, urging government agencies, private sector players, and academia to collaborate in making research commercialization a national priority.

He also stressed the need to look beyond giant corporations and focus on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as primary beneficiaries of academic research. According to him, “While large companies have their own research capabilities, SMEs face deep-rooted challenges that universities can help solve. By working closely with them, we can drive localized innovation that has direct economic and social impact.”
To foster stronger collaboration between academia and industry, Dr. Obiajunwa encouraged faculties to organize periodic industry roundtables where pressing challenges faced by businesses can be discussed from research perspectives, leading to practical solutions and viable innovations. He also charged FUPRE to position Effurun as an ecosystem of technological innovation, urging the university to leverage its research strengths to transform the region into a hub for groundbreaking discoveries and entrepreneurship.
Concluding his lecture, Dr. Obiajunwa outlined an eight-step approach for turning universities into true innovation hubs, providing a clear roadmap for institutions seeking to integrate research commercialization, industry partnerships, and entrepreneurship into their academic frameworks.

Dr. Obiajunwa’s call to action resonated strongly with attendees, reinforcing the role of Nigerian universities as catalysts for innovation and economic transformation.