Abstract

The University of Ibadan (UI) contributes to preparing students for business, industry, government, and society by integrating theoretical knowledge with practical skills, interdisciplinary collaboration, and real-world problem-solving. A notable example is the University of Ibadan Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis (UI-LISA), established in March 2015 and admitted to the LISA 2020 Network in June 2015. Over the past decade, UI-LISA has provided a platform for translating statistical theory into practice through collaborative research, statistical consulting, short courses, workshops, and structured internship programmes. Its initiatives, including One Hour with a Statistician, the Mobile Statistical Clinic, and collaborative training workshops, expose students and researchers to applied statistical methods, data visualisation, and evidence-based decision-making. The laboratory’s internship programme further develops practical competencies in tools such as R, Python, SPSS, Excel, and LaTeX, alongside data collection, cleaning, analysis, dashboard development, and reporting. Through initiatives such as Commodity-Watch UI and Transit-Watch UI, interns engage in collecting and analysing local data on commodity prices, availability, and campus mobility, producing evidence relevant to community needs and policy decisions. UI-LISA also strengthens statistical literacy through its weekly Data Speaks radio programme and facilitates interdisciplinary research collaborations that contribute to scholarly publications and policy briefs. Evidence from its 2026 internship survey indicates that 94% of respondents felt better prepared for their careers and 91% would recommend the internship programme. These experiences demonstrate how university-based statistical laboratories can bridge the gap between academic training and workplace expectations. The paper highlights the importance of strengthening university–industry partnerships, expanding experiential learning, and providing sustainable institutional support to enhance graduate employability, innovation, entrepreneurship, and Nigeria’s data-driven development.