UNESCO has urged stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation and utilization of the National Research and Innovation Fund (NRIF).
The call was made on Monday in Abuja at a three-day consultation workshop on the operationalize of Nigeria’s NRIF.
The fund is to be operationalized under the project, Strengthening UK–West Africa Science, Technology and Innovation Partnerships for Sustainable Development, also known as the Sankore Project.
Sankore, named after a historic centre of learning in West Africa, is a new accountable grant mechanism supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
The project is being delivered through two work streams aimed at strengthening Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) systems in Nigeria and Ghana. The work streams are being implemented by UNESCO and Results for Development (R4D).
Dr Enang Moma, National Professional Officer, Natural Science Sector, UNESCO Abuja Office, said the project was designed to drive transformative change in Nigeria and Ghana by strengthening their STI ecosystems.
“The programme will enhance data accessibility, foster open science and advance the commercialization of research, thereby empowering communities to leverage innovation for sustainable development and societal progress,” she said.
Moma added that STI agencies involved in the implementation of the project include the Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO), the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), and the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA).
Ms Kornelia Tzinova, Head of the Natural Science Sector, UNESCO Regional Office in Dakar, said the success of the project depended on sustained political support and strong leadership from participating agencies.
“It is also crucial to anchor this project within national development frameworks to ensure its success and maximise benefits for the people of Nigeria,” she said.
Tzinova noted that Ghana had already made progress in operationalizing its National Research Fund, adding that the Sankore Project provided an opportunity for collaboration, peer learning and experience sharing between the two countries.
“UNESCO stands ready to facilitate the exchange 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.
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Kingsley Udeh, expressed optimism that the NRIF Bill would be passed in the near future to drive innovative reforms in the country.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Philip Ebiogeh, the minister said that ahead of presidential assent to the bill, preparations must be intensified to ensure its sustainability.
“Working in silos must give way to collaboration. Top universities and research institutions should prepare for a new era of research funding driven by performance, relevance, collaboration and measurable national impact.
“The NRIF will reward excellence and problem-solving research, open new opportunities for research partnerships, technology adaptation and investment in startups,” he said.
Also speaking, President of the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS), Prof. Abubakar Sambo, said inadequate funding had continued to limit Nigeria’s capacity to produce high-quality research, attract and retain scientific talent, and adapt global technologies.
“To make the NRIF effective, we must ensure it is not just a funding pool but part of a broader innovation ecosystem supported by multiple sources, including government budgetary allocations, private sector contributions and philanthropic foundations,” he said.
