Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous country and one with a significant youth population, has one of the biggest tertiary education systems in Africa.
As of February 2023, Nigeria has 170 tertiary institutions which is inclusive of Universities, Polytechnics, Monotechnics and Colleges. However, her tertiary education system is befuddled with several challenges that impact on its effectiveness and quality.
Chief amongst its numerous challenges is dearth of adequate funding for the country’s numerous citadels of learning. With it comes concomitant effect of low level of research output among lecturers and student when compared with what is obtainable in the globe.
Low research output has been shown to be a precursor for lack of innovation which in turn stagnate a country’s technological evolution across different spectrum of life. Insufficient funding, limited access to modern research facilities, and a lack of collaboration between academia and industry hinder innovation and scientific advancement. The onus of ensuring continued research and development in Nigeria’s citadel of learning therefore rests on the private sector.
To this end, Grooming Centre, one of the foremost and leading microfinance institutions in the country is championing the drive to raise the bar of research and development in tertiary institutions and in extension amongst students in Nigeria as one of its numerous corporate social responsibilities.
The organization initiated a University Scholarship Scheme where students in their undergraduate program and post-graduate students are awarded research grant. The Centre through this innovation has continued to demonstrate unwavering commitments towards improved research output in Nigeria’s numerous institutions. So far, four editions of the scheme have been carried out with over 450 beneficiaries.
This year, the Centre is embarking on the fifth edition of the scheme where 150 students are set to be beneficiaries. Students whose areas of research falls within their research studies in the areas of either microfinance, rural development, inclusive finance, social enterprise, MSME and women in development are eligible and enjoined to apply.
Prospects for Improvement
Despite the challenges, there are opportunities for the private sector to explore towards improvement of the Nigerian tertiary education;
Increased Funding: Apart from the government need to prioritize education and allocate a higher percentage of the national budget to the sector, the private sector should actively participate in the areas of infrastructure, faculty development, and research initiatives.
Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborations between tertiary institutions, industries, and the government can promote research and development, improve curriculum design, and enhance graduate employability through internships, industry-driven projects, and job placement opportunities.
Apply for the 2024 Grooming Centre University Grant Scheme
