Nigerian universities have been called upon to strengthen their capacity for international grants acquisition and strategic resource mobilisation in order to remain globally competitive, relevant and financially sustainable.
The call was made by the Secretary-General of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), Andrew Haruna, and the Managing Director of Optimal Delivery Solutions Projects and Corporate Services Limited, Ken Oguzie, at a collaborative research workshop held at the CVCNU secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday.
Speaking on institutional readiness, Haruna noted that the global academic landscape has evolved significantly, with leading universities increasingly depending on competitive grants to drive innovation, research output and institutional growth.
He observed that although Nigerian universities are eligible for numerous international funding opportunities, many face challenges such as weak proposal development capacity, poor alignment with donor priorities and inadequate institutional frameworks for grants acquisition.
According to him, the overdependence on government subventions has limited the ability of universities to diversify their funding sources through international grants, industry partnerships and collaborative research networks.
“For many universities, reliance on government subventions remains dominant, while alternative funding opportunities through international grants, industry partnerships, and collaborative research networks are not fully explored or strategically pursued,” he said.
Haruna described the workshop as timely, adding that it would equip participants with practical approaches to strengthening institutional capacity, building partnerships and improving grantsmanship practices. He also urged universities to align their research priorities with global development needs while projecting strong Nigerian and African perspectives.
In his remarks, Oguzie outlined three key strategic shifts necessary for Nigerian universities to attract global funding. He said institutions must transition from individual-driven efforts to structured institutional strategies, from local focus to global relevance, and from competition to collaboration.
He explained that international funding bodies now prioritise research addressing global challenges such as climate change, food security, artificial intelligence, public health and inclusive development.
“Grant writing is not merely a technical skill; it is a strategic capability. When leadership prioritises grants, the institution follows,” he said.
Oguzie further stressed that collaborative research across institutions, countries and disciplines significantly improves funding success rates and strengthens institutional credibility.
He added that participants at the workshop were exposed to emerging global funding trends, compliance standards required by major donors, and digital tools designed to enhance research visibility and collaboration.