Hamza Muhammad Uba
The National Assembly has pledged its support for the National Research and Innovation Fund (NRIF) as part of efforts to unlock sustainable financing for science, technology, and innovation in Nigeria.
The pledge was made at the first stakeholders’ consultation workshop on the operationalisation of Nigeria’s National Research and Innovation Fund aimed at strengthening UK-West Africa Science and Innovation Partnerships for Sustainable Development SANKORE project.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Senator Aminu Iya-Abbas, reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to ensuring the swift passage of the National Research and Innovation Fund Bill.
The lawmaker, represented by his Special Adviser, Charity Anaja, described the NRIF as a strategic legislative instrument capable of repositioning Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem and translating research outcomes into tangible economic value.
“The National Research and Innovation Fund is a national priority, and the Senate is fully committed to providing the legislative support required to ensure its successful implementation,” he said.
The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Philip Ebiogeh, stated that the fund would address long-standing funding gaps that have limited Nigeria’s research and innovation potential.
He noted that effective operationalisation of the NRIF would stimulate industrial growth, encourage private sector participation, and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global knowledge economy.
“This fund is the bridge between research and commercialization, and between innovation and national prosperity,” the minister stated.
The Director-General of the Science and Technology Complex, SHESTCO, Professor Paul Onyekwe, said lessons from previous unsuccessful attempts to establish the fund informed the current approach. He explained that the ongoing stakeholder consultations are focused on developing clear operational frameworks and governance structures to guarantee transparency, accountability, and effective utilisation of the fund.
“Getting the operational guidelines right is critical to building trust and ensuring that the fund delivers on its mandate,” he said.
UNESCO’s representative, Dr. Enang Mumah, said the organisation is providing technical assistance to Nigeria to strengthen innovation governance and support the activation of the National Research and Innovation Fund.
She added that similar support is being extended to Ghana as part of a regional approach to strengthening science, technology, and innovation systems in West Africa.
“Our support is aimed at ensuring that the National Research and Innovation Fund is transparent, sustainable and capable of driving commercialization and evidence-based policy making,” he explained.
Stakeholders at the workshop expressed optimism that the National Research and Innovation Fund, once fully operational, would transform Nigeria’s research outputs into market-ready solutions and strengthen the country’s innovation ecosystem.
