The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has emphasized the urgent need for stronger partnerships between academic institutions and industries to tackle Nigeria’s pressing insecurity challenges.
Speaking during the convocation lecture of the combined 34th and 35th convocation ceremony of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), on Friday November 24, 2024, the minister highlighted the role of technological innovation in creating sustainable security solutions.
Delivering his lecture titled “Harnessing Technological Innovation: A Strategic Solution to Insecurity,” Dr. Tunji-Ojo underscored the potential of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in scaling university-led innovations.
“PPPs offer an avenue to scale university-led innovations and commercialize security technologies, thereby creating sustainable solutions,” he said.
The minister called for increased funding for research and development to translate innovations into practical solutions.
“We must adequately fund research and development teams to evaluate and proffer solutions to present and future challenges. We must resist the urge to administer short-term solutions to long-term problems as this will only compound our issues. We must embrace local brains, local people, local ideas,” he stated.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo highlighted the pivotal role of academic institutions like FUTA in fostering innovation. “Academic institutions are vital hubs for research and innovation.
They possess the intellectual capacity, technical expertise, and state-of-the-art facilities needed to develop cutting-edge security technologies. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, universities can pioneer advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and surveillance technologies tailored to Nigeria’s unique security landscape,” he noted.
While acknowledging the irreplaceable role of human intelligence in managing technology, the minister cautioned against neglecting the human element.
“A technology plan without adequate support for humans is no plan. As leaders, we must invest in the welfare, training, and career development of our workforce,” he advised.
Addressing the graduating students, Dr. Tunji-Ojo urged them to use their education to drive solutions. “You are graduating from a university of technology in an emerging economy. Use it well. Proffer solutions, analyze problems, and solve them. The world is gravitating towards solutions that bring comfort. Put what you have been taught to good use and you may just be the one to put your family on the global map,” he said.
He further encouraged the graduates to adapt technology to address critical societal challenges in health, education, finance, and, notably, insecurity. “Education is your rightful inheritance. Continue to learn, grow, and adapt, for in doing so, you will not only enrich your own lives but also contribute significantly to society,” he emphasized.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo expressed optimism about the future under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing the ongoing digitalization of key government services, including passport issuance, as a testament to the administration’s commitment to innovation.
“With continued investment in technological innovation and a collaborative security approach, we can forge a brighter, safer future for generations to come,” he concluded.
In her remarks, FUTA Vice-Chancellor Professor Adenike Oladiji commended the minister for his insightful lecture, describing it as timely. “Given the precarious state of the nation regarding insecurity, this lecture underscores the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to build a safer Nigeria,” she said. She also urged all sectors to work together to safeguard lives and create an environment where youth can thrive.
