Strengthening Nigeria’s Research and Innovation Funding Ecosystem

Nigeria’s research and innovation landscape is brimming with potential, yet it faces persistent challenges in coordination, funding, and infrastructure. The policy brief outlines strategic imperatives to transform the country’s fragmented system into a unified, high-performing ecosystem.

Why Reform Is Urgent

Despite its size and economic influence, Nigeria invests only 0.13% of its GDP in research and development—far below the African Union’s 1% target. The private sector contributes just 1%, leaving a heavy reliance on government agencies. Therefore, this underinvestment hinders innovation, restricts commercialization, and diminishes Nigeria’s global competitiveness.

Key Recommendations

To address these gaps, the brief proposes five actionable reforms:

• Establish the National Research and Innovation Council (NRIC) and a National Research and Innovation Fund (NRF) to centralize funding and policy coordination.
• Increase R&D investment to meet the 1% GDP benchmark, unlocking technological advancement and economic growth.
• Boost private sector participation through incentives and public-private partnerships, aligning research with market needs.
• Upgrade infrastructure and skills, including labs, ICT facilities, and training in grantsmanship and intellectual property.
• Implement a robust Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework to ensure transparency and impact tracking.

Opportunities and Best Practices

Nigeria can draw inspiration from successful models such as the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which has empowered thousands of entrepreneurs, and the World Bank-supported Centres of Excellence, which have strengthened research capacity nationwide.

International partnerships with organizations like USAID, GIZ, and IFAD also offer technical support and funding opportunities.

Moving Forward

A unified and well-funded research ecosystem is not just a policy goal—it’s a national imperative. By implementing these reforms, Nigeria can unlock innovation, drive inclusive development, and position itself as a leader in Africa’s knowledge economy.