Unilorin Don Calls for TETFUND Support to Enhance Laboratory Facilities in Universities
Professor Olufunke Esan Olorundare, from the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the University of Ilorin, has advocated for the intervention of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) in equipping and maintaining laboratory facilities in Nigerian universities, particularly at the undergraduate level.
Speaking during her inaugural lecture titled “In Sickness and Good Health: Pharmacology as Systems Medicine Research Primer,” Professor Olorundare emphasized the critical need for adequate laboratory equipment to support basic science teaching and research at the undergraduate level.
She shared her personal experience, highlighting how exposure to research during her undergraduate days facilitated her seamless transition into research culture during her postgraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the United States.
While acknowledging TETFUND’s significant contribution to providing infrastructure, such as buildings, for tertiary institutions, Professor Olorundare stressed the importance of equipping these structures to optimize their functionality.
According to her, TETFUND should prioritize allocating funds towards purchasing and maintaining laboratory equipment. She urged TETFUND to directly engage with overseas manufacturers to procure major equipment, ensuring installation and functionality agreements are in place.
Expressing concern over the current practice of involving middlemen and contractors in equipment procurement, Professor Olorundare emphasized the need for a streamlined process to prevent wastage of government resources and ensure the longevity of laboratory facilities.
She highlighted that equipment supplied by contractors often fails to meet the required standards, leading to frustration among researchers and a significant loss of resources.
In conclusion, Professor Olorundare called on TETFUND to take proactive steps in addressing the critical need for well-equipped laboratory facilities in Nigerian universities, underscoring the importance of enhancing the research infrastructure to foster academic excellence and scientific innovation.
She said “It is imperative for TETFUND to devote attention to funding the purchase and maintenance of equipment for laboratories in our various universities for basic science teaching and research at the undergraduate level.”
“This directly derives from my personal experience and exposure to research in my undergraduate days, which enabled me to effortlessly fit into the research culture, during my postgraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, U.S.A.”
“TETFUND has done marvelously in the area of providing buildings for most of our tertiary institutions, and must be commended for the accomplishment in this area.”
“The time has come for TETFUND to prioritize providing funds to equip these magnificent empty buildings to make our universities real universities.”
“TETFUND must insist on obtaining major equipment directly from the overseas manufacturers, who must not only install the equipment and make sure that they function at the delivery stage, but also enter into maintenance agreements with these companies for the equipment. “
“A situation where middlemen and contractors who know very little about the functioning of the equipment they supplied, and sometimes supply equipment that will never be put to use beyond a few weeks/months, is a deplorable waste of government resources and deeply frustrating for researchers.”
