TETFund Invests N23 Billion in Research: Strengthening Nigeria’s Science and Innovation Landscape

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has recently announced its significant investment of over N23 billion in funding research across Nigeria.

This move highlights the agency’s commitment to the establishment of a Science Granting Council in Nigeria and the promotion of research and development (R&D) in the country.

During a validation workshop on “Strengthening Research and Innovation Funding Agencies in West Africa,” held at the Fund’s headquarters in Abuja, the assistant director of research and development (R&D), Dr Hadiza Ismail, emphasized the importance of linking research outputs to industry to bring about the desired development.

Despite the fact that TETFund has already supported over 900 research projects with grants, the agency is working to ensure that the research results are linked to industry to achieve tangible outcomes for Nigeria’s progress.

The workshop was aimed at giving momentum to a project designed to strengthen national research councils in six West African countries.

However, the absence of a well-recognized national research and innovation funding agency in Nigeria has raised concerns, as it has limited the country’s ability to attract foreign grants for research.

Experts at the event, including Professor Nicholas Ozor, the executive director of the African Technology Policy Studies (ATPS) Network, and Professor Peter Onwualu, the president of the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja, stressed the importance of establishing a functional science and innovation funding agency in Nigeria.

They highlighted the significance of a strong institutional framework for conducting research and promoting innovation, which can ultimately contribute to the country’s economic growth.

As the discussions at the workshop continue, it is evident that the establishment of a Science Granting Council in Nigeria could be a significant step toward strengthening the country’s science and innovation landscape, ultimately benefiting its economy and fostering development.