By Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA: The Founder of the Tunji Olowolafe Foundation, Dr Tunji Olowolafe, has pledged to deliver solar energy installations, virtual learning facilities, and modern digital infrastructure to the Postgraduate College of Obafemi Awolowo University OAU, Ile-Ife in Osun State.

Olowolafe announced the interventions in Ile-Ife while delivering an address at the grand finale of the Postgraduate College Week, held as part of activities commemorating the university’s 65th anniversary.

Under the support package, the foundation will install a dedicated solar power system powering the college’s administrative offices, ICT centers, and examination facilities. The intervention also includes equipping a virtual learning and oral defense facility, alongside digitizing the college’s boardroom.

To boost research output, Olowolafe disclosed that the foundation will fund preliminary studies and pilot research to help scholars compete for global grants, while sponsoring specialized training in grant writing, donor compliance, and institutional advancement.

Speaking on the theme, “Promoting Research Excellence and Innovation in Postgraduate Studies: Charting the Future,” Olowolafe framed research as a systematic mechanism for solving societal challenges, calling on universities to challenge conventional ideas with evidence-backed solutions.

He advocated democratizing academic research by integrating practical experts—such as experienced farmers—into university study frameworks under academic supervision. He also urged Nigerian researchers to subject indigenous knowledge in medicine, agriculture, and construction to scientific validation, referencing Chinese scientist Tu Youyou’s Nobel Prize-winning work on artemisinin for malaria treatment.

Commending OAU’s research track record, Olowolafe cited a $5 million Gates Foundation grant obtained by Prof. Ibraheem Awowole to tackle maternal mortality, as well as over 70 patents secured through the university’s Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office. He challenged OAU alumni nationwide to scale up financial and institutional backing for campus research by at least tenfold.

He further praised the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adebayo Simeon Bamire, for driving research innovation, urging the university leadership to deepen preparation for emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.