African universities must turn research projects into viable businesses – Julius Debrah

Chief of Staff, Dr. Julius Debrah, has called on African universities to strengthen entrepreneurship, research and innovation as part of efforts to prepare graduates to solve real-world problems and contribute to economic transformation.

He said tertiary institutions must go beyond preparing students to pass examinations and instead equip them with practical skills and the capacity to turn ideas into viable products and enterprises.

Dr. Debrah made the call at the maiden convocation of the University of Offa in Kwara State, Nigeria, on Monday, October 12, 2026, where he represented President John Dramani Mahama.

Addressing the university’s pioneer graduating class, he said African universities had a critical role to play in shaping the continent’s economic future.

“The modern African university cannot be satisfied merely with producing graduates who can pass examinations. It must help students learn how to solve problems,” he said.

He urged universities to integrate entrepreneurship, digital skills, innovation, research and critical thinking across academic disciplines.

Dr. Debrah also called for stronger collaboration between universities and industry, alongside initiatives that would provide students with mentorship and support to develop business ideas.

“African universities should build stronger relationships with industry, encourage incubation and mentorship, and help promising students’ ideas progress from final-year projects to viable products and enterprises,” he said.

He encouraged the University of Offa to make these areas central to its development, describing its maiden convocation as an important milestone for the institution and its first graduating class.

The Chief of Staff also highlighted the importance of collaboration between African universities, noting that the University of Offa’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kazeem Alagbe Gbolagade, had previously served at the University for Development Studies in Ghana.

“I hope these connections can form the basis for stronger partnerships between the University of Offa and institutions in Ghana and elsewhere in Africa,” he said.

Dr. Debrah further argued that Africa’s economic future depended on moving beyond the export of raw materials towards adding value to products from agriculture, mining, manufacturing, technology and the creative industries.

“Across our continent, we must also move beyond simply producing and exporting raw materials,” he said.

His remarks reflect the growing emphasis on linking higher education with industry needs, research commercialisation and local value addition as African countries seek to expand productive sectors and create sustainable employment.

He urged the university’s graduates to apply their education to developing solutions that address the continent’s challenges.