In an era where development priorities increasingly demand credible evidence, stronger institutions, and solutions that translate beyond reports into real-world impact, strategic partnerships between academia and development actors have become more essential than ever.
It is within this context that Crest Research and Development Institute (CRADI) paid a high-level courtesy visit to the newly inaugurated Vice Chancellor of Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University (formerly Benue State University), Professor Timothy Terseer Alabar.
The engagement, held on Friday, 13th February 2026 at the Vice Chancellor’s Central Administration Office, formed part of CRADI’s broader institutional advocacy tour aimed at deepening collaboration with donor agencies, key government MDAs, academic institutions, and other strategic partners.
In Benue State, CRADI has also held engagements with the Benue State Council for Climate Change, the Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD), and the Ministry of Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change, while additional high-level meetings are planned in Abuja in the coming days.
CRADI’s delegation, Mr. Christian Adanu, Director of Research, Evaluation and Learning (DRE&L), and Mr. Adide Samuel Emelis, Programmes Manager, were notably the first external stakeholders to be received by the Vice Chancellor on the day of his official inauguration.
The meeting was attended by senior members of the university management team, including Directors from the Centre for Research and Innovation, the Centre for Gender Studies, the Centre for Peace and Development Studies, and other high-ranking officials.
Introducing CRADI, Mr. Emelis described the institute as a Pan-African, non-profit organization advancing sustainable development through research, capacity strengthening, partnership and developmental aid.
He highlighted CRADI’s international reach, noting its headquarters in Nigeria, an office in Uganda, and operational experience across more than 17 countries.
Also, he underscored CRADI’s work with international clients and donor organizations, as well as its delivery across four practice areas: Research, Training, Partnership, and Development Aid. As an example of CRADI’s approach, he referenced the FCDO-funded BRIDGE project currently being implemented across Plateau and Benue States, which was designed from research adapted into practical programming.
In his presentation, Mr. Adanu emphasized CRADI’s commitment to bridging the gap between academic research and development practice. He observed that many academic institutions are capable yet remain under-positioned for institutional partnerships with development actors, as individuals often engage externally without structured institutional frameworks.
This, he noted, can limit credibility and reduce the uptake of research by international bodies, agencies, and governments that increasingly require institutionally-backed evidence.
Mr. Adanu explained that CRADI’s proposed partnership with Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University would create pathways for joint research, evidence generation, and policy engagement, while also opening opportunities for students to gain real-life exposure through internships and practical learning experiences.
Drawing from CRADI’s experience, he cited its partnership with the University of Jos, where CRADI supported the development of a five-year strategic plan for the Faculty of Arts, noting that similar collaboration could strengthen institutional performance, relevance, and visibility in Benue.
Responding, Professor Alabar expressed strong enthusiasm and willingness to partner with CRADI. He assured the delegation that the proposed MoU would be processed and signed upon review and ratification by the university’s legal department.
Furthermore, he indicated readiness to allocate a suitable location within the university to support CRADI’s operations, including the delivery of specialized postgraduate programmes within the development sector.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, thus marking what both parties described as the beginning of a strategic partnership positioned to strengthen research credibility, expand institutional visibility, and translate knowledge into practical solutions that advance sustainable development outcomes.