University of Ibadan receives N1 billion for diaspora research center.

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission announced on Thursday that the University of Ibadan had secured the sum of N1 billion for the funding of a diaspora research center.

According to the two organizations, funding education centers and amenities for Nigerians living abroad is part of the aims to promote international collaboration, fellowship, and research.

The Chairman of NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri in the statement disclosed that “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 informed the TETFund management that NIDCOM was in touch with the University of Ibadan, where the Diaspora Research Centre will be located, to discuss the project’s foundational elements, models, and implementation strategies.

Sonny Echono, the TETFund’s executive secretary, praised the Commission for its work in fostering national development and promoting research collaboration. The TETFund Boss claimed that the Diaspora Research Centre, which will be based at the University of Ibadan, followed NIDCOM’s advice.

The Executive Secretary said, “Under the Special Intervention Initiative of the Fund, an allocation of one billion naira was granted in the Fund’s 2023 budgetary allocation for the construction 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.”

Echono reiterated the TETFund’s commitment to research and development while also announcing that the University of Ibadan had also received an additional $250,000,000 Naira under the 2023 budgetary allocation (Designated Projects) as financial support for the institution’s Global Research Centre.

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.”

He emphasized the goal of the research center once more and expressed his confidence that the facility will foster interactions and partnerships with organizations that formulate domestic and international policy.

Echono while briefing on the implementation plan from the host Institution stated explicitly that “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.”