By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

Nigerian universities have been urged to urgently reposition themselves to tap into billions of dollars in international research funding, as the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, CVCNU, partners Optimal Delivery Solutions, ODS, to bridge long-standing capacity gaps in grants acquisition.

The call came at a high-level collaborative workshop held at the CVCNU Secretariat in Abuja, where academic leaders and experts gathered under the theme, “Unlocking Global Funding: Resource Mobilization and International Grantsmanship for Nigerian Universities.”

Secretary-General of CVCNU, Professor Andrew Haruna, warned that universities that fail to adapt to the evolving global funding landscape risk being left behind, stressing that competitive research grants have become a major driver of innovation, growth, and institutional relevance worldwide.

He lamented that despite being eligible for international funding, many Nigerian universities continue to struggle due to weak proposal development skills, poor alignment with donor priorities, inadequate institutional frameworks, and limited collaboration.

Haruna noted that overdependence on government subventions has stifled innovation in funding strategies, leaving vast global opportunities underutilised.

“For many universities, reliance on government funding remains dominant, while alternative sources such as international grants, industry partnerships, and collaborative research networks are not strategically pursued,” he said.

Describing the workshop as timely, Haruna said it was designed to equip institutions with practical tools to strengthen resource mobilisation, build partnerships, and institutionalise effective grantsmanship practices.

He further challenged universities to align their research priorities with global development goals while projecting strong Nigerian and African perspectives.

“Our expectation is that participants will move from occasional grant success to building a structured and sustainable culture of research funding,” he added.

On his part, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ODS Projects and Corporate Services Limited, Ken Oguzie, outlined three critical shifts Nigerian universities must embrace to attract global funding.

According to him, institutions must transition from individual-driven efforts to coordinated institutional strategies, from local focus to global relevance, and from competition to collaboration.

Oguzie stressed that global funders are increasingly prioritising solutions in key areas 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 entire institution follows,” he said.

He also underscored the importance of cross-border and interdisciplinary collaboration, noting that the most successful grants today are driven by partnerships across universities and countries.

“Nigerian universities must actively seek both African and international collaborations. This boosts credibility, expands expertise, and significantly improves success rates,” he added.

Oguzie revealed that participants at the workshop were exposed to emerging global funding trends, compliance requirements of major donors, and digital tools to enhance research visibility and collaboration.

Also speaking, Director of Global Engagement at ODS, Dr Akanimo Odon, highlighted sustainable strategies for sourcing grants, emphasising the role of international partnerships and internal collaboration within universities.

In her remarks, CVCNU Research Officer and workshop facilitator, Mrs Joy Ambrose Ezirim, stressed the need for universities to strengthen their institutional branding and online presence to remain competitive globally.

She noted that participants gained practical insights into navigating global funding ecosystems, building strong internal structures, and fostering sustainable relationships with international funding bodies.

Ezirim added that the workshop also served as a platform for networking, peer learning, and inter-university collaboration aimed at expanding Nigeria’s footprint in global research funding.

The initiative signals a renewed push to transform Nigeria’s higher education sector from grant seekers to competitive players in the global knowledge economy.