The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has allocated N1billion for the establishment of a diaspora research centre in the University of Ibadan (UI).
The country’s premier university, the University of Ibadan has received the sum of N1 billion for the funding of a diaspora research centre.
This was disclosed by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund
(TETFund) and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) said in a jointly
signed statement on Thursday.
According to the statement by the Chairman, NiDCOM, Abike
Dabiri, the two agencies said it was aimed to fund Education Centres and
facilities for the Nigerians in the diaspora to foster knowledge exchange,
fellowship, research, and transnational projects.
Dabiri stated, “TETFund followed through with the commitment
by earmarking 1 billion naira for the establishment of Diaspora Research Centre
in University of Ibadan, one of Nigeria’s most prestigious tertiary
institutions.
“The Diaspora Research Centre will be the first of its kind
in Africa with immense potential to shape the landscape of research and
development in the continent.”
She also informed the management of TETFund that NIDCOM was
in contact with UI, where the Diaspora Research Centre is to be sited to
discuss groundwork, models, and implementation plans on the completion of the project.
The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono hailed the
Commission for their nation-building efforts and advocacy for collaboration on
research.
According to Echono, the Diaspora Research Centre to be
domiciled in the University of Ibadan followed the recommendation of NIDCOM.
The Executive Secretary added that “an allocation of 1
Billion Naira was provided in the Fund’s 2023 budgetary allocation under the
Special Intervention Initiative of the Fund for the establishment of Diaspora
Center for Research and Development.
“The allocation letter was given to the University of Ibadan
in May 2023, with a recommendation that the Institution submits implementation
plan for the effective take-off of activities.”
In his reaffirmation of TETFund commitment to research and
development, Echono disclosed that an additional sum of Two Hundred and Fifty
Million Naira was also allocated to the UI under the 2023 budgetary allocation
(Designated Projects) as fund assistance for Global Research Centre at the
institution.
The Executive Secretary while stating the importance of the
facility to the global research community expressed that, “The Centre is
proposed to house a rich collection of African Diaspora and Transnational
Studies resources, including textbooks, archival documents, audio and video
tapes, online resources, microfilms and other related materials.
“It is as well intended to serve as a flagship scientific
hub for teaching, research, and other academic activities related to diaspora
and transnational studies.
“The proposal indicates that the proposed facility shall be
an incubator for hosting experts, practitioners, and policy professionals with
interest and experience in research, including hosting fellowship and exchange
programmes to produce truly globally impactful diaspora and transnational
knowledge.”
“The University of Ibadan is presently perfecting plans for
signing of the MOU with NIDCOM, which is the collaborating institution that has
been interfacing with TETFund on Diaspora Centre of Excellence project together
with NIDCOM.
“The University has also initiated the search for a
TETFund-accredited firm to set about the design of the structure in conformity
with the value of the awarded grant while interfacing with the University of
Ibadan,” he added.