House Committee Upset Over Ministers Missing Key Hearing on Research Fund

The House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology is unhappy with the absence of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Udeh, and the ministry’s Permanent Secretary at a public hearing. This hearing was about a bill to create a National Research and Innovation Development Fund.

The committee, led by Zakariya Zannah, said the absence of these officials was unacceptable. They noted that the bill was introduced by the executive branch and sent to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu. The committee warned that not participating could delay the bill and harm efforts to attract research funding from international partners and donors.

Committee member Ahmed Jaha expressed concern that the ministry’s absence was undermining the relationship between the executive and legislative branches of government. He pointed out that the proposed fund aims to support research institutions across Nigeria and help the country secure funding from international organizations.

Jaha highlighted that other ministers were invited to the hearing but none attended, which he described as sabotage. He emphasized that the Minister of Science and Technology, being the main sponsor of the bill, should have been present, or at least sent a representative.

During the hearing, an international stakeholder from Kenya attended, which made the committee more frustrated about the absence of Nigerian officials. Jaha noted that many countries have established similar research funds, while Nigeria has not yet done so.

The committee plans to give Udeh and the Permanent Secretary another chance to attend before the public hearing concludes. If they do not show up, the committee may take further action to address their absence.

Chairman Zannah called for a reliable funding system and good governance for the proposed fund. He stressed that Nigeria has the talent for research and innovation but lacks the proper legal and institutional support to make it effective. He urged all stakeholders to carefully review the bill and suggest improvements.