Experts Urge Investment in Research at WARIMA's 20th Anniversary

During the annual workshop of the West African Research and Innovation Management Association (WARIMA) held in Abuja on Wednesday, experts called for greater investment in research and innovation to accelerate economic growth and sustainable development across Africa. The conference, themed "Compliance and Quality in Research," celebrated WARIMA's 20th anniversary and brought together academics, policymakers, and research experts.

WARIMA President Dembo Kanteh stated that Africa's progress relies heavily on commitment to scientific research and innovation, noting that inadequate investment limits access to modern facilities and hinders the impact of studies. Kanteh emphasized the necessity of adhering to international ethical standards and regulatory requirements to secure global grant partnerships.

Former Babcock University Vice Chancellor Michael Faborod identified poor commercialization of research as a significant challenge in Nigeria and urged a focus on patenting and product development. He advocated for stronger collaboration between universities, research institutions, and industries to ensure research outputs are market-ready.