Nigeria's investment in research and development is a critical indicator of its commitment to its future. However, the country's R&D expenditure data is outdated, with the last recorded figure being 0.22 per cent of GDP in 2007. This raises concerns about Nigeria's prioritization of scientific capacity for development. In contrast, the United States spent an estimated $993 billion on R&D in 2024, approximately 3.4 per cent of its GDP.
The University of Michigan's research-commercialization ecosystem provides a model for Nigerian universities to generate value from research. The university's innovation partnerships office connects faculty research with corporations, foundations, investors, and entrepreneurs. This has resulted in significant research expenditures, corporate-sponsored research awards, and startup creations. In fiscal year 2025, Michigan recorded $2.16 billion in research expenditures and attracted $170.6 million in corporate-sponsored research awards.
Professor Omolade Adunbi, a Nigerian faculty member at the University of Michigan, outlined four pathways for universities to generate value from research: corporate-sponsored research, intellectual property licensing, university spinouts, and strategic research partnerships. These pathways can help Nigerian universities reduce their dependence on government allocations and tuition fees. By adopting similar models, Nigerian universities can produce people, ideas, and discoveries that create economic value.
The Wellcome report published on October 10 highlights a decline in public trust in science globally since the COVID-19 pandemic. In Nigeria, public trust in science fell from 26 per cent in 2018 to 13 per cent in 2020 but recovered modestly to 15 per cent in 2025. The report also found that 57 per cent of Nigerians reported at least some trust in science. However, concerns about vaccination and healthcare institutions remain.
The Wellcome report identifies a relationship between confidence in healthcare institutions and trust in science. Globally, 43 per cent of people expressing a lot of confidence in their country's hospitals and clinics also reported a lot of trust in science. Economic insecurity also plays a role, with 39 per cent of people living comfortably reporting a lot of trust in science, compared with 20 per cent of those finding it difficult to get by financially.
Nigeria's education sector requires a multifaceted approach to overcome its challenges. The country's universities must be able to produce credible research, protect intellectual property, and negotiate commercial partnerships. This requires more than government funding and involves the private sector and other stakeholders. By adopting innovative financing models and prioritizing scientific capacity, Nigeria can address its education crisis.
The decline in public trust in science and concerns about vaccination and healthcare institutions pose significant challenges to Nigeria's education sector. Addressing these concerns requires clear, credible communication and a focus on building trust in science and healthcare institutions. By doing so, Nigeria can promote a culture of scientific inquiry and innovation, ultimately driving economic growth and development.
Key points
- Nigeria's education sector requires a multifaceted approach, involving government, private sector, and other stakeholders, to overcome its challenges.
- The country's universities must be able to produce credible research, protect intellectual property, and negotiate commercial partnerships to generate value from research.
- Public trust in science has declined globally since the COVID-19 pandemic, posing significant challenges to Nigeria's education sector.
