Professor Odoh Pledges 70 Billion Naira Investment Over Five Years

The new Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Professor Benard Odoh, has unveiled a N70 billion investment plan to transform the university within his five-year term. During his inaugural address, he announced that he would temporarily reside in the university kitchen to stay closely connected to campus life until the official residence is completed.

Professor Odoh plans to raise N10 billion through public-private partnerships and corporate social responsibility to fund critical infrastructure. His ambitious goals include building a 150-room hotel for visitors, enhancing campus security, and establishing a N100 million fund to support renewable energy research, promoting both sustainability and innovation.

He also promised a focus on academic improvement, with rewards for hard work and consequences for indolence, as he aims to lift UNIZIK’s academic reputation across Africa and beyond.  Meanwhile

The Federal Government of Nigeria is establishing a National Research and Innovation Council and a National Research Fund to drive innovation across the country. Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, announced this in Abuja at a policy dialogue focused on strengthening Nigeria’s research and innovation framework.

Nnaji highlighted that these initiatives, supported by President Bola Tinubu, align with the administration’s national agenda, emphasizing a knowledge-driven economy.

An inter-ministerial committee under the Office of the Vice President is already preparing a Federal Executive Council memo to formalize the fund, while a supporting bill is under review in the National Assembly.

Nnaji explained that the council will coordinate Science, Technology, and Innovation efforts, while the fund will support strategic research to address local and global challenges.

Experts, including Professor Nicholas Ozor of the African Technology Policy Studies Network, stress that these institutions are crucial for Nigeria’s growth, urging the government to prioritize and mobilize resources for innovation.

Also

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has launched the N-774 Initiative, a community-driven approach to address malnutrition across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas. Speaking at the State House in Abuja, Shettima emphasized that the initiative builds on the success of the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) project, aiming to bring nutrition support directly to communities for sustainable impact.

The World Bank praised this grassroots strategy, calling it a model for tackling malnutrition in Nigeria and beyond. The bank has pledged $50 million through the ANRiN 2.0 program to further support nutrition interventions.

Shettima highlighted the importance of local ownership and collaboration across sectors like health, agriculture, and education, emphasizing that malnutrition requires “a Nigerian solution.” He expressed confidence in the Renewed Hope Administration’s ability to achieve swift and impactful results through this initiative.