House of Representatives Proposes National Research Fund to Boost Innovation

The House of Representatives in Nigeria is taking steps to create a National Research and Innovation Development Fund. This initiative aims to fill funding gaps, enhance research capabilities, and promote local innovations. The proposal also includes setting up a National Council on Research and Innovation to oversee research activities and help turn research findings into marketable products.

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas announced these plans during a public hearing on the proposed legislation held at the National Assembly in Abuja. He emphasized that Nigeria should not rely heavily on imported technologies when local talents can address many challenges. Despite having skilled researchers and entrepreneurs, the lack of a strong system connecting research with funding and industry has limited economic benefits.

Abbas pointed out that much of Nigeria’s research ends with academic papers, while many promising innovations struggle to find funding. He stated that the goal is to create an ecosystem that links research with investment and industry.

Chairman of the House Committee on Science and Technology, Zakariya Zannah, echoed these sentiments, noting that Nigeria has the intellectual resources to drive research but lacks a solid framework for financing and commercializing these efforts. He urged stakeholders to examine key areas of the proposed legislation, including governance, funding sources, and accountability mechanisms.

The proposed fund is designed to address long-standing issues such as insufficient research financing and weak connections between universities and industries. The public hearing brought together government officials, academics, and members of the private sector to discuss the legislation and its potential impact on Nigeria’s research landscape.