The Nigerian Academy of Sciences (NAS) is advocating for the creation of a National Research Foundation (NRF) to bolster research funding for academics and complement the existing efforts of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
The NAS believes the NRF would provide a crucial avenue for scientists to develop innovative solutions to pressing national challenges.
Dr. Oladoyin Odubanjo, Executive Secretary of NAS, emphasized the necessity of the NRF in a statement to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.
“The foundation will have funds dedicated towards research rather than infrastructure; it will enable scientists to develop innovative solutions to Nigeria’s challenges,” he stated.
Odubanjo expressed concern over the nation’s current lack of a structured research and development funding mechanism, highlighting its detrimental impact on scientific progress. He argued that addressing this deficiency is crucial for fostering scientific innovation, driving economic development, and accelerating technological advancement within Nigeria.
The NAS is actively committed to improving Research and Development (R&D) in Nigeria through consistent advocacy for increased funding and the provision of expert scientific advice.
“There should be no scientific policy without expert advice, and we are trying to get that kind of mindset in place,” Odubanjo explained, underscoring the importance of scientific expertise in policymaking.
“We have worked hard over the years to provide scientific advice. We want the government to appreciate that when it is making policies and laws, it will need expert advice,” he added, emphasizing the Academy’s role as a strategic resource for the government.
The Academy intends to maintain and strengthen its engagement with the government, ensuring that policies are grounded in robust scientific evidence rather than subjective beliefs or political considerations.
Furthermore, the NAS is focused on strengthening its relationship with the Ministry of Budget and National Planning to secure improved funding support for Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI). According to Odubanjo, the ministry can play a critical role in embedding STI funding across all sectors of the Nigerian economy, ultimately positioning the country as a thriving, knowledge-based economy.
