Baze University, Abuja, is strengthening research, innovation and international collaborations as part of efforts to build a globally competitive institution capable of producing graduates equipped for the demands of the modern labour market.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Abiodun Adeniyi, disclosed this on Monday when he received Education Correspondents in his office in Abuja.

Adeniyi said the university was deliberately cultivating a research-driven academic culture through strategic partnerships, collaborations and the recruitment of scholars with strong research backgrounds.

He described research and innovation as central to the institution’s vision of redefining tertiary education in Nigeria, stressing that universities must continuously generate new knowledge and perspectives to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.

“Research is the hallmark of development because the essence of research is to provide insights, new perspectives and new dimensions away from the things that we have been doing,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor disclosed that Baze University was also planning to introduce a system of external academic examiners from outside Nigeria to periodically assess the work of its faculties and make recommendations aimed at improving academic standards in line with global best practices.

According to him, the initiative would complement the regulatory oversight provided by the National Universities Commission (NUC), Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the Federal Ministry of Education.

Emphasis on multidisciplinary skills

Adeniyi said the university was equally repositioning its curriculum to ensure that graduates acquire multidisciplinary and entrepreneurial skills that would enable them to compete effectively in an increasingly complex labour market.

He noted that university graduates could no longer depend solely on certificates obtained in their chosen disciplines, explaining that the changing nature of the global economy required individuals to develop multiple competencies.

“The world has become so transdisciplinary that when people are multi-skilled, they are at a better advantage than the one whose skill is solo,” he said.

He said Baze University had introduced entrepreneurial and other skills-based programmes across disciplines, with the objective of producing graduates who would not only seek employment but also create opportunities, drive innovation and contribute to economic development.

Adeniyi cited the university’s partnership under the World Bank-supported IDEAS programme as another demonstration of its commitment to practical skills development.

He said the programme had helped train young Nigerians in skills capable of promoting self-reliance and entrepreneurship.

The Vice-Chancellor also pointed to the performance of Baze University alumni across different sectors, saying many graduates had emerged as entrepreneurs, business leaders and professionals, reflecting the impact of the institution’s multidisciplinary approach.

Expanding international partnerships

Adeniyi said Baze University was expanding its international outlook, with students coming from Nigeria and other African countries, particularly within the West African subregion.

He disclosed that the university was developing collaborations with institutions and stakeholders in countries such as Sierra Leone and Kenya, saying the partnerships would provide students and academics with greater exposure to international opportunities, practices and networks.

According to him, the university’s long-term ambition is to build an institution capable of competing with leading universities around the world.

He, however, acknowledged that achieving such a vision would require patience, deliberate planning, sustained investment and consistent implementation.

The Vice-Chancellor noted that some of the world’s renowned universities had developed over centuries, stressing that Baze University was pursuing its own growth through strategic planning and steady investment.

He assured that the institution would continue to invest in its academic environment, research capacity, international partnerships and human capital while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.

Adeniyi said the university remained committed to producing graduates who would contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s development while competing favourably in the global knowledge economy.