By Obot Festus & Adaora Adibe
In a strategic effort to boost research development in Nigeria, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved the establishment of the National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF), a landmark initiative aimed at strengthening the country’s research, science, technology and innovation ecosystem.
According to the proposal approved by the Council, the NRIDF will be overseen by a 17-member National Council on Research and Innovation to be chaired by the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, will serve as Vice Chairman alongside other members of the Council.
This initiative is expected to significantly enhance research and innovation activities across the country while supporting the Federal Government’s drive towards economic diversification and sustainable development.
The Fund will operate under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, which will provide institutional oversight and coordinate its implementation.
Welcoming the development, Dr. Udeh described the approval as a major breakthrough in the Federal Government’s commitment to building an inclusive, sustainable and innovation-driven economy in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu and the target of achieving a $1 trillion Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
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According to him, although the approval marks a significant milestone, the Fund will still undergo the necessary legislative, administrative and operational processes before full implementation and disbursement can commence.
He explained that when fully operational, the NRIDF is expected to provide strategic funding support for researchers, innovators, technology developers and startups across the country.
Dr. Udeh further noted that the initiative would strengthen local research capacity, promote the commercialization of research outputs and innovation, encourage collaboration between academia and industry, and position Nigeria more competitively within the global knowledge and technology economy.
