Insufficient Research Funding and its Impact on Nigeria’s Digital Economy
The research community in Nigeria is reportedly facing a challenge due to inadequate funding, resulting in a low number of researchers relative to the country’s population. UNESCO data reveals that Nigeria has only 38.8 researchers per million of the population, significantly lower than other low-income countries and below the African average. The responsibility for research funding lies primarily with the Nigerian government, and current funding levels have been deemed inadequate.
According to the National Science Technology and Innovation (NSTI) Policy, the Nigerian government is responsible for research funding. The NSTI Report (NSTIR) 2030 estimates a total requirement of N180 billion ($497 million) for research and innovation in Nigeria over three years, distributed across various categories. Despite efforts such as the establishment of the National Research and Innovation Fund (NRIF) by the government, research funding in the country remains insufficient. Both publicly and privately funded research organizations in Nigeria are experiencing budget shortages, hindering their operations.
The lack of funds has led to a lack of scientific and technological breakthroughs in higher education institutions in Nigeria. With limited interest from policy-makers, researchers often rely on their own salaries to conduct research, publish articles, and attend conferences. This lack of financial support and motivation presents a significant barrier to Nigeria’s progress towards a stable digital economy and sustainable development goals.
To address this issue, experts are advocating for multiple sources of funding for research and innovation in Nigeria. In addition to government funding, contributions from private companies are being suggested. The recent success of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine highlights the potential impact of private funding in the research sector.
In a separate but related development, the National Agency For Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has signed agreements for the implementation of Delta-2 projects worth $21.7 million with 11 companies under the Nigeria-Czech bilateral cooperation. This project aims to fund research development and innovation in agriculture, mining, and general manufacturing for small and medium enterprises. As Nigeria pushes forward with research initiatives, the achievement of these projects is expected to positively impact the nation’s farmers, miners, and MSME operators.
In another related event, the Federal Government of Nigeria has graduated 12 young female entrepreneurs, encouraging greater involvement of Nigerian female youth in information technology and entrepreneurship. The initiative, led by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), aims to empower women in Nigeria to leverage digital technologies for the creation of viable businesses. This initiative aligns with the government’s efforts to invest in the digital economy and drive women’s empowerment.
In conclusion, Nigeria’s inadequate research funding poses significant challenges to the country’s scientific and technological development. Without sufficient financial support, the ability of researchers and innovators to drive the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy is impeded. It is crucial for the government and private sector to invest in research to drive meaningful progress in Nigeria’s digital and economic landscape.
