Prof. Gambari Urges Academia to Close Knowledge Gap in Governance
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Former Minister of External Affairs, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, on Saturday called for a fundamental rethinking of the relationship between academia and the Nigerian state, insisting that universities must move beyond theoretical engagement to become active drivers of good governance.
Professor Gambari made the call while delivering a lecture titled “Roles and Responsibilities of Academia in Good Governance” at the seventh Annual General Meeting of the Ilorin Emirate Professors’ Association, held in Ilorin.
The former Nigerian Permanent Representative to the United Nations stressed that Nigeria’s sustainable development depends largely on a productive synergy between intellectual research and public policy. He lamented that much of the high-quality research produced in Nigerian universities remains trapped within academic circles, failing to translate into practical solutions for societal and governance challenges.
According to him, for academia to truly fulfil its social contract, scholars must deliberately channel their research towards evidence-based interventions that address the nation’s most pressing socio-political and economic problems.
Professor Gambari underscored the responsibility of academics to serve as the “intellectual conscience” of the nation by holding leaders accountable through objective data, rigorous analysis, and informed public engagement. He explained that good governance goes beyond the absence of corruption, describing it instead as the presence of efficient, transparent systems powered by the depth of expertise resident in universities.
He also highlighted mentorship as a critical component of the academic mandate, noting that scholars must actively groom a new generation of leaders anchored on ethical values, professionalism, and patriotic commitment.
Addressing the longstanding “town and gown” divide, Professor Gambari urged universities to proactively seek structured partnerships with government institutions and the private sector. Despite Nigeria’s vast human and natural resources, he observed that the absence of clear mechanisms for integrating academic research into governance has created a persistent “knowledge gap” that continues to undermine innovation and national progress.
The elder statesman further called for comprehensive curriculum reforms to ensure that graduates are not only technically competent but also well grounded in democratic values, civic responsibility, and leadership ethics. He described the classroom as a “laboratory for democracy,” where critical thinking and societal problem-solving skills should be deliberately nurtured.
Professor Gambari cautioned that while university autonomy is essential, it comes with a responsibility to remain relevant to societal needs. He warned that an academia detached from the realities of governance and the everyday struggles of citizens risks becoming “an expensive ornament rather than a catalyst for national transformation.”
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion and Chairman of the Governing Council of Kwara State University, Malete, Professor AbdulGaniyu Ambali, called for love, peace, and unity among scholars within the Ilorin Emirate. He advised against internal rivalry and the pull-him-down syndrome, stressing the importance of collective progress.
In his welcome address, the President of the Ilorin Emirate Professors’ Association, Professor Abdulkabir Hussain Solihu, described scholarship as a “sacred responsibility” that demands truth, wisdom, and moral leadership. He noted that the role of professors now extends beyond teaching and research to include thought leadership, ethical guidance, and evidence-based contributions to governance and policy formulation.
To give practical expression to this vision, Professor Solihu announced the establishment of a Committee on Good Governance and Citizens’ Civic Rights, to be chaired by Professor Hassan Salihu. The committee, he said, will organise symposiums, forums, and town hall meetings aimed at promoting citizenship education, good governance, and national unity.
