The Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, has disclosed that the fund allocated N1 billion in its 2023 budget for the establishment of Diaspora Centre for Research and Development, under the Special Intervention Initiative of the Fund.
Speaking at a meeting with the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in Abuja, Echono said the Diaspora Research Centre which will be domiciled in University of Ibadan, followed the recommendations of NIDCOM.
According to him, the allocation letter was long issued to University of Ibadan in May, 2023, with recommendations that the institution submits implementation plan for effective take-off of activities.
While re-emphasizing TETFund’s efforts and commitment to research and development, Echono announced that an additional sum of N250 million was also allocated to the University of Ibadan under the 2023 budgetary allocation, designated projects, as a fund assistance for Global Research Centre at the institution.
A statement by TETFund’s Acting Director of Public Affairs, Abdulmumin Oniyangi, stressed the importance of the facility to the global research community.
“The Centre is proposed to house a rich collection of African Diaspora and Transnational Studies resources, including textbooks, archival documents, audio and video tapes, online resources, microfilms and other related materials.
“It is as well intended to serve as a flagship scientific hub for teaching, research, and other academic activities related to diaspora and transnational studies.
“The proposal indicates that the proposed facility shall be an incubator for hosting experts, practitioners, and policy professionals with interest and experience in research, including hosting fellowship and exchange programmes to produce truly globally impactful diaspora and transnational knowledge,” the statement said.
Echono said, “the University of Ibadan is presently perfecting plans for signing of the MOU with NIDCOM, which is the collaborating institution that has been interfacing with TETFund on Diaspora Centre of Excellence project together with NIDCOM. The University has also initiated the search for a TETFund-accredited firm to set about the design of the structure in conformity with the value of the awarded grant while interfacing with the University of Ibadan.”
Also speaking, the chairman of NIDCOM, Dabiri-Erewa, commended TETFund for the allocation to university if Ibadan and its transformative actions.
The NiDCOM boss noted that the Diaspora Research Centre will be the first of its kind in Africa with immense potential to shape the landscape of research and development in the continent.
She intimated the management of TETFund that NIDCOM is in contact with University of Ibadan, where the Diaspora Research Centre is to be sited to discuss groundwork, models and implementation plans on the completion of the project.
