Nigerian universities have been asked to bridge the gap with their local communities to boost economic growth.

Various speakers at a TETFUND event in Abuja, where over one hundred professors gathered, harped on the need to strengthen University-Community collaboration through Local Economic Development.

TETFUND’s Executive Secretary, represented by the Director Research and Development Dr. Salutu Bakari, while declaring open the conference, lamented the significant economic losses caused by the underutilization of university resources.


For the lead facilitators at the event, Professor May Nwoye of Nile University and Professor Olusiji Aina integrating entrepreneurial thinking into university curricula and community outreach would drive the economic growth needed in the country.

Other speakers, including the convener Dr. Tope Toogun, Professor Muinati Bello of the University of Maiduguri among others believe that learning from global best practices while adapting local contexts will assist in building a prosperous and sustainable future.

The four-day training was aimed at enabling universities adopt local economic development at the strategic institutional level by equipping University participants with basic knowledge of enhancing the University community relationship.