The contributions of academics to the country’s development have been hailed as crucial to achieving a more secure and prosperous nation.
According to the vice-president, the intellectual inquiry and data-driven analysis of scholars can help chart a course towards a brighter future for Nigeria.
Speaking at the public presentation of two books written by Prof. Abdullahi Shehu, the vice-president, Kashim Shettima, praised the author’s scholarship, saying the books are “topical and much-awaited interventions in our public discourse and policy circles.”
According to a statement issued on Friday by his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President urged academics to support the government’s efforts to address the country’s challenges, noting that empirical research is essential for informing policy reforms and driving national development.
The Vice President, who was represented by Dr. Aliyu Moddibo, Special Adviser to the President on General Duties (Office of the Vice President), emphasised that academics have a critical role to play in shaping Nigeria’s future.
“Beyond standing as custodians of the nation’s memory, scholars can help us navigate the complexities of our national challenges and find solutions that work for all,” he said.
The books, Boko Haram and Other Security Challenges in Nigeria: Issues and Options for Policy and Reflections on the 2023 General Elections, were praised as essential reading for those tasked with protecting lives and properties.
The Vice President urged Nigerians to embrace the ideas and discoveries presented in the books, saying, “We must ensure that our dear brother’s work doesn’t merely remain a literary exercise.”
The importance of academic research in informing policy and driving national development was highlighted.
The vice-president’s call to action underscores the government’s commitment to harnessing the expertise of academics to build a more secure and prosperous Nigeria.