Senior academic leaders and researchers have been encouraged to embrace sustainable innovation and forge strategic global partnerships as a means to unlock international research funding and drive Africa’s development.
This compelling call was made by Dr. Akanimo Odon, Head of Africa Strategic Partnerships at Lancaster University, United Kingdom, during the International Workshop on Resource Mobilisation and Grantsmanship held on Friday, 18th July 2025, at the Aderemi Makanjuola Lecture Theatre, Lagos State University (LASU) Main Campus, Ojo, Lagos.
The workshop, convened by the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Oseni Taiwo Afisi, brought together senior members of the university community including Deans, Directors, Heads of Department, and members of LASU’s 92 research clusters. The session focused on equipping academic leaders with practical tools and strategies to scale up their research efforts and enhance global competitiveness through collaboration.
In his keynote presentation, Dr. Odon underscored the immense opportunities embedded within the global green economy, referencing a World Bank report that placed the current market value for low-carbon products at $3.4 trillion, with projections surpassing $8 trillion by the end of 2025.
“African institutions must begin to position themselves strategically,” he stated. “The future is green, and the global research economy is shifting towards sustainability. Innovation and strategic alignment will be crucial if we are to participate meaningfully.”
He highlighted the success of enterprise-led research models in the United Kingdom, noting that Lancaster University’s research partnership with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) currently generates a £5.50 return on every £1 invested — a figure expected to rise to £10.20 by 2026, far exceeding the UK national average.
Dr. Odon introduced the “Escalator of Innovation” — a model developed to bridge the gap between academia and industry through internships, collaborative workshops, and postgraduate research. He stressed that for Africa to tackle pressing challenges like poverty, food insecurity, and gender inequality, it must foster inclusive, cross-sectoral partnerships.
He urged scholars to approach grant writing with a funder’s mindset: “Think like funders. Craft your proposals as stories. Make your goals clear, your impact visible, and build partnerships that matter. Don’t apply blindly — align your research with the funding body’s priorities.”
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Taiwo Afisi, described the workshop as a “masterstroke in timing.” She praised the initiative for supporting the university’s strategic focus on building a thriving research ecosystem and increasing access to international funding.
“This workshop speaks directly to our mission,” she said. “We are building viable research teams capable of attracting significant funding, producing impactful research, and offering solutions to society’s most pressing issues. By the end of 2025, I expect each of our 92 research clusters to have secured at least one major grant.”
The workshop concluded with a strong endorsement of the “Quadruple Helix” innovation model — a holistic framework that promotes synergy among academia, industry, government, and civil society to ensure that research outputs translate into tangible social and economic benefits.
