A Chief Lecturer at the School of Technology, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Dr. Haastrup Victor, has identified Operational Research (OR) as a strategic tool capable of accelerating Nigeria’s transformation and driving sustainable national development.
Dr. Victor, who is also a former Director of the Centre for Information and Technology Management (CITM), made this assertion during the 21st Inaugural Lecture Series of the institution held on Thursday at the Yusuf Grillo Auditorium, YABATECH.
The lecture was themed: “Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice: The Power of Operational Research in Sustainable Development.”
During the event, the Rector of YABATECH, Dr. Ibraheem Abdul, presented a plaque to Dr. Victor in recognition of his contribution to scholarship and innovation.
Dr. Victor explained that Operational Research serves as a vital bridge between theory and real-world application, enhancing evidence-based decision-making and promoting sustainable progress.
He traced the evolution of OR from its origins during World War II to its modern-day applications, noting that scientific analysis and data-driven decision systems are now solving complex global challenges across various sectors.
According to him, Nigeria can unlock significant transformative potential by deploying OR tools such as optimisation models, simulation, and goal programming in governance and public institutions.
“Operational Research remains the backbone of evidence-based planning, offering clear pathways to overcome uncertainty and deliver sustainable, impactful results,” he said.
Dr. Victor highlighted OR’s potential to improve resource allocation, strengthen strategic planning, and enhance public service delivery — especially in developing countries with limited resources and complex socioeconomic challenges.
“Developing nations like Nigeria thrive when decisions are anchored in structured analysis and accurate data. By relying on research-backed insights rather than instinct, we unlock smarter development outcomes and faster progress,” he added.
He cited possible applications in public sector budgeting, healthcare optimisation, transportation planning, and energy systems, referencing practical models related to Lagos communities and computer production processes.
“Operational Research can support sustainable development by improving renewable energy integration, boosting agricultural productivity, and assessing the long-term impact of national policies,” he explained.
He stressed that when policies are guided by validated models and sensitivity analysis, governments can reduce waste, avoid false starts, and achieve better socioeconomic outcomes.
However, he cautioned that successful OR implementation depends on reliable data systems, skilled professionals, institutional backing, and protection from political interference that undermines objective analysis.
“Evidence-based recommendations often fail when politics overrides logic. Our nation must prioritise truth over convenience,” he warned.
Dr. Victor called for comprehensive data reforms, training of public servants in OR methodologies, and legal backing for OR frameworks in budgeting, procurement, and national planning systems.
He advocated the institutionalisation of OR across ministries through Decision Support Systems (DSS), adding that it must move beyond academic theory to become a practical instrument for national development.
“There must be dedicated OR departments in ministries, an expanded tertiary OR curriculum, stronger industry-academic-government collaboration, and national investment in digital data libraries to strengthen decision-making frameworks,” he said.
Expressing optimism for Nigeria’s future, Dr. Victor urged students to pursue more than certificates by embracing OR training and developing a broader vision aimed at shaping the country’s growth and transformation.
In his remarks, Dr. Ibraheem Abdul, Rector of YABATECH, commended the lecturer for deepening understanding of OR’s importance in solving national challenges and bridging the gap between academia and industry.
He noted that both public and private institutions that succeed globally invest heavily in research and development, stressing that OR remains vital to innovation, efficiency, and progress.
“It is advisable that we take deliberate, evidence-based approaches to policy formulation to avoid repeating the same patterns while expecting different results,” Abdul said.
