President Bola Tinubu has transmitted a bill to the House of Representatives seeking to establish the National Research Development Fund. The bill, dated September 24, 2026, was contained in a cover letter addressed to Speaker Abbas Tajudeen. In the letter, President Tinubu solicited for expedited consideration and passage of the bill. The proposed legislation aims to consolidate research financing and ensure efficient utilization of resources.
The bill seeks to centralize fragmented research and development funds across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) into the National Research Development Fund. This fund will serve as a mechanism for research agencies and academic institutions to access funding. The President explained that the establishment of the fund will foster strategic collaboration among research agencies, academia, and the private sector. This collaboration is expected to drive groundbreaking innovations and streamline resource allocation according to national priorities.
The National Research Development Fund will be an agency under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology. The fund will receive direct funding from the Nigeria Content Development Fund (NCDF). President Tinubu noted that the current proliferation of research institutes and agencies has led to separate mandates and budgetary allocations. The bill aims to enable effective management of limited financial resources for the development of science, technology, and innovation in Nigeria.
The bill has undergone thorough review and vetting by relevant stakeholders, including the Ministries of Education and Innovation, Science and Technology, as well as the Ministry of Justice. These stakeholders ensured that the legislative structure aligns with national education objectives, scientific innovation priorities, and statutory clarity. The President emphasized that the bill's passage will drive the commercialization of homegrown technology and reduce foreign technological dependency.
President Tinubu's request for the establishment of the National Research Development Fund is part of his efforts to promote research and development in Nigeria. The fund will provide a competitive central funding mechanism, ensuring transparency in funding decisions through evaluation criteria. The President believes that the fund will catalyze innovations and drive the development of science, technology, and innovation in Nigeria.
The House of Representatives will consider the bill and its passage into law. President Tinubu solicited for the House's support in expediting the legislative process. The bill's passage is expected to have a positive impact on the development of science, technology, and innovation in Nigeria. The President's request has been met with interest, and the House will review the bill in due course.
The establishment of the National Research Development Fund is a significant step towards promoting research and development in Nigeria. The fund will provide a central mechanism for research agencies and academic institutions to access funding. With the fund's establishment, Nigeria is expected to make significant progress in the development of science, technology, and innovation.
Key points
- President Bola Tinubu has transmitted a bill to the House of Representatives seeking to establish the National Research Development Fund.
- The fund will provide a central mechanism for research agencies and academic institutions to access funding.
- The bill's passage is expected to drive the commercialization of homegrown technology and reduce foreign technological dependency.
