Academic-government gap hindering development – Don

• Urges governments to prioritise education funding

From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri

A university don and Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences at the University of Maiduguri, Prof. Shehu Liberty, has decried the widening gap between academics and governance in Nigeria, saying the situation is inimical to the country’s economic development.

Speaking in an interaction with journalists in Maiduguri yesterday at the commencement of the faculty’s 2nd International Conference on Economic Potentials and Challenges in the Country, Liberty said academics and the political class ought to collaborate to ensure that research outcomes are used as strategic plans for national development.

“There seems to be suspicion between the political class and academics. In other climes, research from academia is used as a manual for development plans. It’s time we addressed this widening gap,” he advised.

He also urged the federal, state, and local governments to prioritise the funding of education in the country.

However, he acknowledged that funding education will require support or partnership from the private sector, maintaining that the government alone cannot handle it.

Liberty disclosed that the conference is a convergence of researchers, academics, and experts from various fields to exchange ideas on the current economic and political challenges in the country. The conference is themed Harnessing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Towards Expanding Economic Frontiers: Opportunities, Challenges, and Emerging Solutions.