Educational researcher, Professor Olufemi Adesope, has challenged academics across Nigeria to move beyond publishing research findings and begin patenting their innovations to generate wealth and maximise the value of their intellectual property.
Adesope made the call while delivering a paper titled “From Ideas to Impact” at the Fifth Hybrid International Conference of the Faculty of Education at Rivers State University.
He warned that many scholars lose significant financial opportunities because they fail to secure legal ownership of their research through patents, urging a shift toward the commercialization of academic research.
Also speaking at the conference, former Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Professor Nlerum Okogbule, encouraged researchers to embrace Artificial Intelligence, describing technology-driven innovation as the future of research and development.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Professor Richard Amadi, said the institution is prioritising solution-driven research aimed at addressing societal challenges and promoting sustainable development.
Earlier, the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Professor Isaac Dokubo, said the conference was organised to explore policies that would strengthen sustainability in higher education through research and innovation.
The conference, themed “Transforming Knowledge Creation to Wealth: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Research Innovation for Sustainable Development of Nigerian Tertiary Institutions,” brought together academics and researchers to discuss strategies for translating research into practical and economic value.
