Education at all levels has suffered inexcusable neglect in Nigeria since independence 50 years ago. The neglect has compounded the problem of sustainable development several folds. It is so serious that 50 years after Independence the country of 150 million people endowed with immense natural resources cannot boast of a tertiary institution acclaimed globally or in Africa as a center of excellence. The neglect has drastically impeded development in several spheres of life where indigenous and imported intellectual property should have been applied to make a difference in the lives of Nigerians and the rest of the world. Economy is import driven, discoveries and inventions from research that have life transforming values are rare and the research and educational systems are deficient in solutions to socio-economic and political problems that have inhibited growth and development since independence. This parlous state of research and education in the country has compelled a radical transformation that must meet the challenges of the 21st century.

With this background in view, the Committee of Deans of Postgraduate Schools (CDPGS) in Nigerian Universities and the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization-New Jersey Chapter (NIDOA-NJ) jointly plan an Education Summit to develop an agenda for the transformation of research and education in Nigerian Universities to accelerate sustainable national growth and development in the 21st century.