Nigeria may continue to miss out on major international research funding unless the National Assembly fast-tracks the executive bill seeking to establish a National Research and Innovation Development Fund and a National Council for Research and Innovation.
The warning was given today in Abuja by the Executive Director of the African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS), Professor Nicholas Ozor, amid ongoing deliberations on the bill transmitted to the National Assembly after Federal Executive Council approval in April.
Ozor said the proposed institutions would strengthen Nigeria’s research and innovation ecosystem by providing sustainable funding, coordinating research activities and promoting the commercialisation of locally developed innovations.
He noted that Nigeria’s inability to establish a dedicated national research council and funding mechanism had deprived the country of several international research and development opportunities.
He explained that the organisation promotes the generation, dissemination, utilisation and mastery of science, technology and innovation as critical instruments for Africa’s development, environmental sustainability and global inclusion.
Prof. Ozor expressed concern that Nigeria had been unable to benefit from important international research support programmes, particularly the Science Granting Councils Initiative, which provides technical and financial assistance to more than 20 African countries.
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According to him, Nigeria’s absence of a dedicated research council and funding institution has significantly limited its access to such opportunities, despite its enormous human and intellectual resources.
He, however, expressed optimism over the ongoing legislative process, following the Federal Executive Council’s approval of the executive bill in April this year and its subsequent transmission to the National Assembly for consideration.
Ozor said the establishment of the institutions would position Nigeria among countries with structured national mechanisms for financing and coordinating research and innovation development.
He expressed hope that the National Assembly would expedite consideration of the bill to ensure its successful passage and eventual establishment of the proposed institutions.
He added that the initiative would create opportunities for Nigerian researchers, strengthen the country’s innovation capacity and improve its participation in international research and development programmes.
