A renowned technocrat, Umar Buba Bindir, has urged students in tertiary institutions to embrace innovation, research and entrepreneurship as tools for tackling poverty and accelerating economic development.
Bindir made the call on Friday while delivering a guest lecture at Sokoto State University (SSU), Sokoto, ahead of the institution’s combined 8th convocation ceremony.
He challenged the widespread perception of Sokoto as Nigeria’s poorest state, describing the label as inconsistent with the state’s abundant human and natural resources.
According to him, the poverty narrative will only change when universities produce graduates who create practical solutions, establish businesses and generate employment, rather than relying solely on academic qualifications.
He encouraged students, researchers and policymakers to identify Sokoto’s comparative advantages through research and transform them into commercially viable ventures capable of boosting the state’s economy.
