UNESCO tasks stakeholders on STI development, NRIF implementation

  The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has tasks stakeholders to ensure the implementation and operationalisation of the National Research and Innovation Fund (NRIF).       The 3-day programme, themed “Building Partnerships for Sustainable Innovation Financing,” is the first consultation workshop on operationalisation of Nigeria’s NRIF.       The STI […]

 

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has tasks stakeholders to ensure the implementation and operationalisation of the National Research and Innovation Fund (NRIF).

 

 

 

The 3-day programme, themed “Building Partnerships for Sustainable Innovation Financing,” is the first consultation workshop on operationalisation of Nigeria’s NRIF.

 

 

 

The STI agencies for the implementation of the project, she mentioned included Sheda Science and Technology Cmplex (SHESTCO), National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, National Biotechnology Development Agency, among others.

 

 

 

The NRIF would be operational under the project on “Strengthening Uk-West Africa Science Technology and Innovation Partnerships for Sustainable Development”, also known as Sankore Project.

 

 

 

Sankore is named after a historical place of learning in West Africa, is a new accountable grant mechanism supported by UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and delivered in two workstreams to strengthen STI systems in Nigeria and Ghana.

 

 

 

The two workstreams were implemented by UNESCO and Result For Development (R4D).

 

 

 

The National Professional Officer, Natural Science Sector, UNESCO, Abuja, Dr. Enang Moma, said the project targeted to drive transformative change in Nigeria and Ghana by strengthening Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) ecosystems.

 

 

 

“The programme will enhance data accessibility, foster open science and advance the commercialisation of research, thereby empowering communities to leverage innovation for sustainable development and societal progress,” Moma said.

 

 

 

Also, Ms Kornelia Tzinova, Head, Natural Science Sector, UNESCO Regional Office, Dakar-Senegal, said the success of the project was dependent on sustained political support and strong leadership from the agencies involved.

 

 

 

She said, “It is also crucial to anchor this project within national development frameworks to ensure its success and maximize benefits for the people of Nigeria.”

 

 

 

She said that Ghana was already succeeding with the operationalisation of Ghana National Research Fund, adding that the Sankore project presented a valuable opportunity for collaboration, peer learning and experience sharing between both countries.

 

 

 

“UNESCO stands ready to facilitate these exchanges of best practices, which we believe will strengthen outcomes and contribute to a more coherent and connected innovation landscape within and across West Africa,” she said.

 

 

 

Dr Kingsley Udeh, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), expressed optimism on the passage of the NRIF bill in the nearest future to facilitate activities for innovative reforms in the country.

 

 

 

Represented by Dr Philip Ebiogeh, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Udeh stated that ahead of the accent to the bill, preparations should be at top gear for its sustainability.

 

 

 

He stated, “For the passage of the NRIF, working in silos must give way to collaboration, top universities and research institutions should prepare for a new era of research funding, one driven by performance, relevance, collaboration and measurable national impacts.

 

 

 

“NRIF will reward excellence and problem-solving research, open new opportunities for research partnerships, technology adaptation and investment in our startups.”

 

 

 

Prof. Abubakar Sambo. President Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) said despite the country’s abundant human capital and intellectual potential, Nigeria was still dragging around 0.2 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product on R&D.

 

 

 

Sambo said the poor funding was limiting ability to produce high quality research, attract and retain scientific talent, adapt global technologies for local needs, among other interventions.

 

 

 

He further said the NRIF would ensure governance and stability in research funding, strengthen national competitiveness, support evidence-based policy making and enhance human capital development.

 

 

 

“To make NRIF effective we must ensure that it is not just a funding pool but part of a broader innovation ecosystem from multiple sources like government budget allocations, private sector contributions, philanthropic foundations,” Sambo said.

 

 

 

Prof. Paul Onyenekwe, Director General of Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO), outlined the workshop agenda, commending UNESCO for its support and technical guidance, which strengthened innovation ecosystems across Africa.

 

 

 

He noted UNESCO’s commitment to fostering partnerships that enhanced research, technological development, and knowledge-sharing, describing the event as a testament to collaborative efforts for sustainable innovation financing across Nigeria and the continent.

 

 

 

According to him, the science ecosystem was expecting that the 0.2 per cent STI fund from the GDP would be more with the passage of the NRIF bill.

 

 

 

“There is already a pronouncement by the former President which was about 0.5 per cent of the GDP should be earmarked for R&D, so we are not expecting to go below that. We expect well-developed recommendations for monitoring and evaluation, the foundation for a national road map that will guide NRIF into full maturity,” Onyenekwe said.

 

 

 

Also, Senator Aminu Abbas, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation, pledged full legislative support to ensure the NRIF bill was passed promptly and transmitted to President Tinubu for assent without delay.

 

 

 

Dr Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, in a goodwill message, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to being a strategic partner, stating the NRIF would support tertiary institutions and technical colleges as incubators of national development.

 

 

 

The Executive Secretary of the Academic Staff Union for Research Institutions (ASURI), Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, drew attention to the persistent challenges confronting researchers in Nigeria, particularly inadequate funding and weak institutional support.

 

 

 

Prof. Ndubuaku noted that Nigeria’s investment in science and technology remains critically low at about 0.2 per cent, far below the 1 per cent benchmark recommended by UNESCO and the African Union, a gap he said continues to undermine research productivity and innovation outcomes.