Ilorin Emirate Professors Charge Academia to Lead Nigeria’s Good Governance Agenda

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The Ilorin Emirate Professors’ Association (IEPA) has called for a fundamental repositioning of Nigeria’s academia as a central force in promoting good governance, democratic values, and national development, declaring that scholars must no longer remain detached observers but active drivers of accountability and ethical leadership. This position formed the core outcome of the 7th Annual General Meeting of the Association, held on Saturday, 27th December 2025, at the Millennium Hotel, Fate, Ilorin, Kwara State, under the theme “The Roles and Responsibilities of the Academia in Good Governance.”

The Annual General Meeting brought together distinguished scholars, academic leaders, and stakeholders committed to strengthening the role of higher education in governance and societal transformation. The gathering was graced by the representative of the Emir of Ilorin, the Balogun Alanamu, Dr. Usman Abubakar Jos, alongside the first professor from the Ilorin Emirate, Professor Saka Nuru, and several eminent professors of Ilorin Emirate origin drawn from local and foreign universities. The meeting served as a platform for deep reflection on the responsibilities of scholars in shaping public policy, nurturing ethical leadership, and bridging the gap between knowledge and governance.

As part of its commitment to human capital development, the Association sustained its scholarship initiative instituted in 2022 by awarding scholarships to 20 deserving undergraduate students from various universities across the country. The beneficiaries were drawn from the five local government councils within the Ilorin Emirate, namely Ilorin West, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, Asa, and Moro. Each awardee received a bank cheque of N100,000, underscoring the Association’s belief that access to education remains a cornerstone of sustainable development and good governance. The presentation of the scholarships was carried out by the representative of the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Usman Abubakar Jos.

A major highlight of the AGM was the keynote lecture delivered by the Guest Lecturer, Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, former Minister of External Affairs and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. His lecture was described as compelling and thought-provoking, setting the tone for robust discussions on the critical role of academia in advancing good governance at local, national, and global levels. The lecture stimulated extensive deliberations among participants on how scholarly knowledge can be better deployed to address governance challenges and strengthen democratic institutions.

In its communiqué signed by Professor Abdul Kabir Hussain Solihu, President of the Ilorin Emirate Professors’ Association, the Association made far-reaching observations on the current state of academia and governance in Nigeria. It noted with concern that much of the high-quality research produced within Nigerian universities remains confined to academic journals and library shelves, with little impact on public policy or the socio-political landscape. The Association observed a significant gap between academic institutions and government agencies, which has limited the integration of scholarly expertise into governance frameworks and policy formulation. It further lamented that existing university curricula place overwhelming emphasis on technical proficiency while paying insufficient attention to democratic governance, civic responsibility, and ethical leadership.

The professors also observed that despite Nigeria’s abundant intellectual capital within its universities, there are no structured mechanisms to channel academic research into actionable governance solutions. The communiqué stressed that academia has often remained disconnected from the practical struggles of citizens and the complexities of statecraft, thereby diminishing its relevance and transformative potential. In response to this, the Association asserted that academics must serve as the intellectual conscience of the nation by holding leaders accountable through rigorous data analysis, unbiased research, and principled engagement.

Arising from its extensive deliberations, the Association issued strong recommendations to the academia, government, policymakers, and university administrators. It urged professors and researchers to move beyond theoretical discourse and begin to provide evidence-based solutions to Nigeria’s pressing governance challenges. Academic institutions were called upon to prioritise the mentorship of future leaders by instilling ethical standards, patriotic duty, and a commitment to good governance. The Association advocated for curriculum reforms that integrate democratic governance, civic responsibility, and ethical leadership, describing classrooms as potential “laboratories for democracy.”

The communiqué further recommended that scholars actively translate research findings into actionable policies and governance frameworks that promote accountability, transparency, and inclusive development. It reiterated that academics must consciously assume their responsibility as the intellectual conscience of the nation by engaging in data-driven analysis and constructive criticism of leadership and public institutions.

To government and policymakers, the Association recommended the establishment of formal partnerships with universities at all levels in order to harness academic expertise for policy formulation and implementation. It called for increased funding for research focused on national development and governance challenges and urged government to create institutional frameworks that enable academics to serve as policy advisers and technical consultants in relevant sectors.

University administrators were also charged to play a proactive role by seeking partnerships with government agencies, the private sector, and civil society organisations to enhance the relevance and societal impact of academic work. The Association recommended the creation of reward systems within universities to encourage faculty members to undertake research with direct and practical applications to societal challenges.

The Association equally adopted a number of resolutions aimed at sustaining engagement and impact beyond the AGM. It resolved to constitute a Committee on “Good Governance and Citizens’ Civic Rights” under the chairmanship of Professor Hassan Saliu. The committee is mandated to organise symposiums, forums, town halls, and other platforms for public dialogue on citizenship education, good governance, and national unity. The Association reaffirmed its commitment to promoting love, peace, and unity among scholars from the Ilorin Emirate while rejecting divisive tendencies and the pull-him-down syndrome.

It also resolved to establish regular forums for knowledge exchange between academia, government, and the private sector to bridge the knowledge-policy gap. Members committed themselves to producing periodic policy briefs on critical national issues for dissemination to relevant government agencies and stakeholders. While advocating for genuine university autonomy, the Association acknowledged that such autonomy carries the responsibility of remaining relevant to societal needs and challenges. The communiqué further stated that the Association would partner with civil society organisations and government agencies to promote civic education and democratic values across communities within the Ilorin Emirate and beyond.

In its appreciation, the Association expressed profound gratitude to Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari for his insightful and thought-provoking lecture, to Professor AbdulGaniyu Ambali, Chairman of the Governing Council of Kwara State University, Malete, for chairing the occasion and offering wise counsel, and to His Royal Highness, the Emir of Ilorin, for his continued support and patronage of scholarly endeavours. Special appreciation was also extended to Professor Saka Nuru, the first professor from the Ilorin Emirate and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, as well as to all members, guests, and participants who contributed to the success of the AGM.

Concluding the communiqué, the Ilorin Emirate Professors’ Association reaffirmed its commitment to fulfilling what it described as the sacred responsibility of guiding society with wisdom, fairness, and truth. The Association pledged to work assiduously to bridge the knowledge gap in governance and to position academia as a functional engine for national transformation and sustainable development.

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