Emergent Model for Accelerating University-Industry Collaborations and Enhancing Innovation among Universities in Nigeria

Abstract

University-Industry Collaboration (UIC) is critical for universities to fulfill their role in providing solutions to societal development challenges and generating scientific knowledge, a function that is significantly improved by government participation, as indicated by the traditional triple-helix model. Though, Nigeria currently demonstrates a low level of performance in university-industry research collaborations. Acknowledging the limitations of existing models and the need for a more robust framework, this study adopted a descriptive research design involving primary data collection from respondents across universities in Nigeria. The research comprehensively assessed the constraints inhibiting sustained and robust UIC, the intensity of current UIC activities, the innovativeness of Nigerian universities, and the strategies employed for accelerating UIC and innovation. Based on the analysis of collected data and a synthesis of previous models, this work proposes an improved model that advocates for universities to engage with a broad range of companies, pursue global corporate-sponsored research, establish clear Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) agreements, involve industry experts in research, seek guidance on practical technology application, and integrate new technology-associated skills into curricula. The enhanced model offers a comprehensive framework aimed at improving UIC and innovativeness in Nigeria, addressing the existing fragmented practices and provides a practical guide for stakeholders and policymakers to foster more effective collaborations, thereby contributing to national development.