Baze University’s VC, Prof. Abiodun Adeniyi (left), receiving copies of Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria’s magazine from ECAN chairman, Mr Chux Ukwuatu, during the visit.
By Felix Khanoba
Baze University, Abuja, is strengthening its focus on research, innovation and international partnerships as part of efforts to develop a globally competitive institution, its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abiodun Adeniyi, has said.
Adeniyi made this known on Monday when Education Correspondents visited his office in Abuja, where he outlined the university’s plans to deepen academic excellence and equip students with skills suited to an evolving labour market.
According to the VC, the institution is deliberately developing a research-oriented culture through strategic collaborations, partnerships and the recruitment of academics with proven research expertise.
He said the approach was necessary because universities must remain at the forefront of knowledge creation, particularly as technological advancement continues to reshape societies and economies.
“Research is the hallmark of development because the essence of research is to provide insights, new perspectives and new dimensions away from the things that we have been doing,” he said.
Adeniyi also revealed that the university was working towards introducing a system of external academic examiners from outside Nigeria who would periodically assess the work of its faculties and make recommendations aimed at strengthening academic standards.
He explained that the proposed arrangement would complement the regulatory roles of the National Universities Commission, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board and the Federal Ministry of Education.
Beyond research and conventional academic training, the Vice-Chancellor said Baze University was redesigning aspects of its curriculum to prepare students for a labour market where multidisciplinary competencies are becoming increasingly important.
He said the institution had introduced entrepreneurship and other skills-oriented programmes across different disciplines, arguing that academic certificates alone were no longer sufficient to guarantee success in the modern economy.
“The world has become so transdisciplinary that when people are multi-skilled, they are at a better advantage than the one whose skill is solo,” he said.
Adeniyi further cited the university’s participation in the World Bank-supported IDEAS programme as part of its efforts to promote practical skills development.
He said the programme had provided training opportunities for young Nigerians, giving them skills that could enhance self-reliance and encourage entrepreneurship.
The Vice-Chancellor said Baze University’s goal was to produce graduates capable of going beyond the search for conventional employment by creating businesses, developing innovative solutions and contributing to economic growth.
He pointed to the achievements of the institution’s alumni in various sectors, saying their emergence as entrepreneurs, business executives and professionals reflected the benefits of a multidisciplinary educational approach.
On internationalisation, Adeniyi said the university was expanding its reach beyond Nigeria, with students from other African countries, particularly within the West African region.
He added that Baze University was also pursuing partnerships with institutions and stakeholders in countries such as Sierra Leone and Kenya to provide students and academics with greater exposure to international practices and opportunities.
The Vice-Chancellor said the university’s ambition was to establish an institution capable of competing with leading universities around the world.
He, however, acknowledged that achieving such a goal would require sustained investment, careful planning and patience, noting that many globally renowned universities had taken centuries to attain their present status.
Adeniyi said Baze University would therefore continue to invest in research, academic infrastructure, international collaborations and human capital while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.
