West African universities must invest heavily in research infrastructure and quality assurance mechanisms to achieve global competitiveness, according to the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu.
Professor Ribadu delivered this message at the 11th Annual Conference and 13th General Meeting of the Association of West African Universities, which took place from 17th to 20th February 2026 at the Bintumani Conference Centre in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Speaking on the theme "Research Culture: Bridging Innovation with Quality Assurance," the NUC boss emphasised that higher education institutions in the region would increasingly be evaluated not merely by expansion and access, but by the credibility, depth, and real world impact of their research output.
He argued that deliberate policy implementation, sustained infrastructure investment, and effective internal quality assurance frameworks remain essential to building a thriving research ecosystem across West African universities.
Professor Ribadu drew attention to the African Centres of Excellence initiative, explaining that the ACE Alliance, launched in November 2025, aims to consolidate gains recorded by Nigeria's Centres of Excellence and sustain regional collaboration among participating institutions.
The conference attracted senior government officials and education stakeholders from across West Africa, including Sierra Leonean ministers, Nigerian federal lawmakers focused on tertiary education, and heads of major education agencies. Vice chancellors from Nigeria, Ghana, and The Gambia also participated, underscoring the regional significance of the gathering.
During his visit to Freetown, Professor Ribadu attended the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces Remembrance Day ceremony, where two Nigerian military leaders received honours for their contributions to peacekeeping and defence cooperation.
The National Universities Commission shared updates on Professor Ribadu's participation through its official X platform, reaffirming the commission's dedication to strengthening research driven higher education throughout the West African region.
The conference discussions centred on practical strategies for universities to bridge the gap between innovation and quality assurance, with participants examining successful models from institutions that have effectively built robust research cultures despite resource constraints.
The emphasis on research quality reflects growing recognition among West African education leaders that regional universities must compete globally not just through student numbers but through scholarly contributions that address local challenges and advance knowledge in critical fields.
