By AbdulRahman Obaje

The Ilorin Emirate Professors’ Association has reaffirms its commitment to fulfilling the sacred responsibility of guiding society with wisdom, fairness, and truth.

This is contained in a communique issued at the end of the 7th Annual General Meeting of the Ilorin Emirate Professors Association (IEPA), in the Kwara State capital city of Ilorin.

The Guest Lecturer,  former Minister of External Affairs and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, delivered a compelling lecture that set the tone for robust discussions on how academia can effectively contribute to good governance at local, national, and global levels.

The AGM had  observed that “much of the high-quality research generated within Nigerian universities remains confined to academic journals and library shelves, failing to influence public policy and the socio-political landscape.”

It further revealed that “a significant gap exists between academic institutions and government agencies, limiting the integration of scholarly expertise into governance frameworks and policy formulation.”

“Current university curricula focus primarily on technical proficiency, with insufficient emphasis on democratic governance, civic responsibility, and ethical leadership.”

“Despite Nigeria’s abundant intellectual capital within universities, there is a lack of structured mechanisms to channel academic findings into actionable governance solutions.”

“The academia has often remained disconnected from the practical struggles of citizens and the complexities of statecraft, diminishing its relevance and transformative potential.”

concluding its observation by saying that, “Academics must serve as the “intellectual conscience” of the nation by holding leaders accountable through rigorous data analysis and unbiased research.”

The AGM produced the following recommendations based on the presentations, discussions, and deliberations as follows:

*To Academia* :
Professors and researchers should move beyond theoretical discourse to provide evidence-based solutions to Nigeria’s pressing governance challenges.

Academic institutions must prioritise the mentorship of future leaders, instilling in them ethical standards, patriotic duty, and commitment to good governance.

Universities should reform their curricula to integrate principles of democratic governance, civic responsibility, and ethical leadership, making classrooms “laboratories for democracy.”

Scholars should actively work to translate research findings into actionable policies and governance frameworks that promote accountability, transparency, and inclusive development.

Academics should assume their responsibility as the intellectual conscience of the nation, holding leaders accountable through data-driven analysis and constructive criticism.
To Government and Policymakers:

Government agencies at all levels should establish formal partnerships with universities to tap into academic expertise for policy formulation and implementation.

Increased funding should be provided for research that addresses national development challenges and governance issues.

Government should create institutional frameworks that enable academics to serve as policy advisors and technical consultants in relevant sectors.

To University Administrators:
University management should actively seek partnerships with government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and civil society organisations to enhance the relevance of academic work.
Universities should create reward systems that encourage faculty members to undertake research with practical applications to societal challenges.

The Association resolved to “Constitute a committee on “Good Governance and Citizens’ Civic Rights: under the chairmanship of Professor Hassan Saliu. This committee will organise symposiums, forums, town halls, and other platforms for public dialogue on citizenship education, good governance, and national unity.”

“The Association reaffirms its commitment to promoting love, peace, and unity among scholars from the Ilorin Emirate, eschewing divisive tendencies and the pull-him-down syndrome.”

“The Association will establish regular forums for knowledge exchange between academia, government, and the private sector to bridge the knowledge-policy gap.”

“Members of the Association will commit to producing periodic policy briefs on critical national issues for dissemination to relevant government agencies and stakeholders.”

“While advocating for genuine university autonomy, the Association recognises that such autonomy comes with the responsibility to remain relevant to societal needs and challenges.”

“The Association will partner with civil society organisations and government agencies to promote civic education and democratic values across communities in the Ilorin Emirate and beyond”

in conclusion, The Ilorin Emirate Professors’ Association reaffirms its commitment to fulfilling the sacred responsibility of guiding society with wisdom, fairness, and truth.

The Association pledges to work assiduously toward bridging the knowledge gap in governance and positioning academia as a functional engine for national transformation and sustainable development.

The Ilorin Emirate Professors’ Association held its 7th Annual General Meeting in Ilorin, Kwara State, with the theme “The Roles and Responsibilities of the Academia in Good Governance.” The meeting brought together distinguished scholars, academic leaders, and stakeholders committed to advancing the role of higher education in national development and governance.

The event that was attended by eminent personalities saw the representative of the Emir of Ilorin, Balogun Alanamu Dr. Usman Abubakar Jos; the first professor from Ilorin Emirate, Professor Saka Nuru; and other eminent professors of Ilorin Emirate origin from local and foreign universities in attendance.

As part of the AGM activities, a scholarship award was presented to 20 deserving undergraduate students from various universities across the country, from the five local government councils within the Ilorin Emirate, comprising Ilorin West, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, Asa, and Moro. Each awardee received a bank cheque of N100,000. This scholarship award has been sustained since its inception in 2022. The presentation was done by the representative of the Emir of Ilorin, Balogun Alanamu, Dr. Usman Abubakar Jos.

The Association expresses profound gratitude to Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, Guest Lecturer, for his insightful and thought-provoking presentation;

Professor AbdulGaniyu Ambali, Chairman of the Governing Council, Kwara State University, Malete, for chairing the occasion and his wise counsel;

His Royal Highness, the Emir of Ilorin, for his continued support and patronage of scholarly endeavors;
Professor Saka Nuru, the first professor from Ilorin Emirate and our BOT Chairman, for his support;

And all members, guests, and participants who contributed to the success of the 7th Annual General Meeting.