The announcement was made in a statement released on Thursday by Yilwatda’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications Strategy, Abimbola Tooki. The statement emphasized that the grant is part of a broader effort to reposition Nigerian universities as centres of innovation, knowledge production, and national development.
According to the APC chairman, the grant will focus on research areas with direct societal and economic impact, including flood modelling in coastal regions, climate adaptation strategies in the Niger Delta, optimisation of offshore oil production, sustainable fisheries management, and the integration of renewable energy solutions. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and digital research platforms will be deployed to ensure research outcomes are practical and scalable.
Yilwatda highlighted the gap in Nigeria’s research investment, noting that current expenditure is below 0.5 per cent of GDP—far short of the two per cent benchmark set by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). He described this shortfall not as a limitation, but as an opportunity for “visionary intervention.”
“Research is the soul of a world-class university, but research without impact remains ineffective unless it illuminates society, informs policy, and fuels innovation,” Yilwatda said. He added that the grant would be monitored personally to ensure accountability and measurable outcomes, with the possibility of increasing funding if the initial allocation is effectively utilized.
The APC chairman also pledged to facilitate connections between the Vice Chancellor of AKSU and relevant authorities in the United States to support the establishment of a world-class institute on the university campus. The initiative is aimed at making students globally competitive and fostering international collaboration through virtual research clusters, co-supervised doctoral programs, and visiting scholar exchanges.
Citing global best practices from institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University, Yilwatda underscored the importance of interdisciplinary research and strong industry linkages in driving regional innovation ecosystems. He noted that AKSU could emulate this model by aligning research with local strengths while maintaining a global perspective.
Beyond research funding, Yilwatda stressed the importance of improving teaching and learning. He advocated for blended learning, AI-driven adaptive systems, virtual laboratories, and immersive simulations, particularly in specialized fields such as marine biology, offshore engineering, and energy analytics.
Describing the donation as both a commitment and a challenge, he urged the university community to view the funding as a responsibility, stating: “This intervention is about building capacity, credibility, and confidence in Nigerian research. When research is impactful, universities become catalysts of development, and nations become globally competitive.”
The ₦100 million grant marks a significant step in the partnership between political leadership and academia, with the stated goal of transforming Akwa Ibom State University into a globally relevant centre of excellence.