The Executive Secretary of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, Dr Rabiu Olowo, has initiated the construction of a Research Centre of Excellence and Digital Library at his alma mater, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony at the university, the project’s coordinator, Dr Mohammed Umar, said the facility would be developed to global standards to strengthen research, teaching and learning.
Umar said the centre would house a digital library with extensive academic resources that would be accessible to accounting students across universities.
He said, “The digital library will partner with professional bodies nationally and internationally to provide digital accounting textbooks and free resources.
“Additionally, the digital library will grant lecturers access to the latest publications to support their research and teaching.”
He added that the centre would also mobilise research funding to support academic research within the university and other higher institutions.
According to him, the facility will provide uninterrupted power supply, high-speed internet connectivity and a borehole to ensure a conducive learning environment.
“The centre has state-of-the-art seminar rooms for teaching and learning. The centre represents a revolution in facilitating access to knowledge and research skills in the institution,” Umar said.
He noted that Olowo was motivated by his passion for knowledge dissemination and academic excellence in initiating the project.
“The centre will be a leading driver of innovation in the university and nationally,” he added.
On funding, Umar said the project would be financed through the support of stakeholders and by leveraging Olowo’s goodwill.
