Nigeria governments at all levels and management of tertiary institutions have been urged to make sponsorship of research a priority for effective national development.
Dr Gideon Ezu made the call at the Imo State University while delivering open a lecture at the 4th International Conference of the Association of Management and Social Sciences Researchers of Nigerian (AMSSRN).
Dr Ezu charged governments at all levels to make research sponsorship part of their key mandate in order to develop the nation’s academic institutions regarded as hubs for National development.
Dr Ezu who is the deputy director, Nnamdi Azikiwe Business School, Awka, also charged members of AMSSRN and research institutions in the country to leverage on the technological innovations to promote their research outputs.
Speaking on the topic, “Issues Involved In Application Of Digital Technology In Research: Nigeria Experience Strategies” he noted that “To foster and facilitate innovation in research, Educational Institutions and Research Institutes must invest heavily in digital technologies (DTs), which most studies have considered to encompass a wide range of information and communication technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics, digital platforms, cloud computing, 3D printing, blockchain technology, etc.
“Government at all levels should prioritize sponsoring research to promote national development. This is because no government makes meaningful progress without research. It is therefore imperative that government and management of our tertiary institutions should make research sponsorship part of their key mandate.
“When you go to the European academic institutions, research is sponsored by the government or its agency vested with the mandate because they believe that the product of any research is to enhance national growth. Our leaders need to imbibe this virtue.
“I also urge all of you gathered here for this conference, as a researcher, you should create integrative digital solutions that can connect with other digital systems, develop user-friendly digital systems. Artificial Intelligence is the driver of digital research and AMSSRN should be the pioneers in this regard,” he said.
In his vote of thanks, the Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Dr Leonard Amaefule, thanked the IMSU Vice-Chancellor for his support and appreciated participants who turned up for the conference.
“On behalf of the LOC members and the AMSSRN Executive, I want to express our gratitude to the management of Imo State University under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Uchefula Ugonna Chukwumaeze (SAN) for his immense support and the AMSSRN leadership championed by indefatigable Professor Lucy Uche Onyekwelu for their inspiration.
“To all the participants and paper presenters, there is no doubt that the conference was knowledge enriching. The two days we spent in IMSU, were productive and we believe that the outcome of the conference will spur us to achieve more through research,” he stated.
In his Keynote Address, the Executive Chairman, Imo State Internal Revenue Service (IIRS) Justice Okoye underscored the urgent need to integrate digital technologies into research and development (R&D) as a driver of economic growth, competitiveness, and sustainable growth.
While acknowledging challenges such as fragmented systems, cybersecurity risks, skill gaps, weak infrastructure, and financial constraints, Justice Okoye also outlined strategies including the adoption of a clear digital roadmap, investment in human capital, stronger data governance, public-private partnerships, and embedding digital tools in governance and service delivery.
The 2025 International Conference had as Keynote Speakers, Justice Okoye, Executive Chairman, Imo State Internal Revenue Service and Professor Bibian Oluchukwu Njogo, Professor of Corporate Finance/Development Finance, Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State.
The two-day International Conference held between September 3 and 4 also featured Induction of new members as well as award presentation to distinguished Nigerians who have impacted humanity in their various endeavours.
The Lead Paper presenter and Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, IMSU, Prof Ngozi Iheduru, highlighted challenges researchers adopting technological innovations in research could face to include Lack of funds to acquire necessary digital equipment. Inadequate internet connectivity and dearth of essential equipment in universities, unreliable power supply which prevents the consistent use of digital tools, insufficient training and lack of clear ethical guidelines for data privacy and avoiding biases.