By Esther Sangodele
A Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, Dr. Kudus Adebayo, has urged Nigerian scholars to publish their research in reputable international outlets, network with academics across disciplines and build global visibility for their work.
Adebayo, who researches migration, diaspora transnationalism, migration health and urban livelihoods, said Nigerian academics must recognise that although they conduct research within local institutions, their work operates within a global research environment.
He said scholars seeking to stand out must connect their research to global conversations and ensure that their findings resonate with researchers and policymakers beyond Nigeria.
According to him, academic visibility goes beyond producing research, as scholars must ensure that their work is published in reputable journals and academic outlets where researchers in their respective fields are likely to engage with it.
“For an academic to stand out, a key part is to understand that while you are based in a particular place, in a particular country or institution, your research is global. You are working in a global space,” he said.
Adebayo stressed the importance of academic integrity, saying researchers must ensure that their work is credible, empathetic and capable of contributing to improvements in human conditions.
He also urged researchers seeking grants to understand the changing priorities of funding organisations and identify opportunities that align with their areas of expertise.
He noted that funding priorities had evolved over time, citing COVID-19, Ebola and public health as areas that had attracted considerable attention at different periods, while artificial intelligence and climate change were currently prominent areas of research funding.
He, however, charged academics not to be discouraged by unsuccessful applications, saying persistence and continuous improvement were essential to securing research grants.
“Getting funding also means you have to apply, apply and apply. You can’t take no for an answer. You have to be consistent and continue to improve yourself,” he said.
Adebayo also urged scholars to take advantage of professional and academic networking platforms to increase the visibility of their research.
He identified platforms such as LinkedIn, X, ResearchGate and Academia.edu as useful avenues through which academics could disseminate their work and connect with other researchers.
He also called on scholars to attend conferences, noting that the increasing availability of virtual conferences had made it easier for researchers to participate in academic events outside their immediate locations.
The don urged early-career researchers to develop a clear academic identity and establish areas of specialisation for which they could become known.
He said young scholars, particularly those in the later stages of their doctoral studies and the first five years after completing their PhDs, should devote considerable attention to publishing, networking and developing professional relationships.
“You have to define what you stand for, what you want to be known for and the quality of work you want to be known for. It means that you are not jumping everywhere; you have a focus,” he said.
Adebayo said researchers should join communities of scholars working in areas of interest to them, share ideas and develop collaborations that could strengthen their research careers over time.
He also expressed concern over the migration of Nigerian researchers abroad, popularly referred to as “Japa”, arguing that inadequate investment in the country’s research ecosystem remained one of the factors undermining the capacity of Nigerian universities to retain and attract top researchers.
He called for increased funding for research and the repositioning of Nigerian universities to enable them to compete more effectively with leading institutions globally.
According to him, Nigeria cannot expect its universities to compete with institutions such as Oxford, Harvard and Cambridge without committing comparable investments to research, infrastructure and academic development.
He stressed that stronger investment in research was essential to national development and positive social transformation.
Adebayo said Nigeria should prioritise the development of a sustainable research ecosystem capable of supporting academics, attracting funding, retaining researchers and ensuring that research produced in the country contributes meaningfully to global knowledge.
