Despite huge investment, research outlets fail to stimulate development, address local needs
22 March 2025 |
5:30 am
In December 1964, Nigeria established the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) to apply science and technology in cocoa production, improving quality and value addition of cashew, cocoa, coffee, kola and tea. Sixty-one years after the institute was set up, Nigeria’s production of cocoa has not improved much.
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In its quest to become a technologically advanced country, Nigeria has established over 66 research institutes with the goal of promoting innovation, addressing societal challenges and contributing to advancement in all ramifications. However, the country is still grappling with many of the challenges they were set up to solve, GBENGA SALAU reports.
In December 1964, Nigeria established the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) to apply science and technology in cocoa production, improving quality and value addition of cashew, cocoa, coffee, kola and tea. Sixty-one years after the institute was set up, Nigeria’s production of cocoa has not improved much. The only time production is said to have peaked was in the early 1970s, with about 420,000 tonnes, but declined significantly after the oil boom, dropping to 170,000 tonnes in 1999.
This is in spite of the country’s population growing about four times from 50.1 million in 1965 to an estimated 229.2 million in 2024. Although Nigeria remains a leading cocoa exporter in Africa, it currently produces an average of around 367,000 tonnes of cocoa beans yearly since 2010.
Also, Nigeria has not done much beyond just exporting cocoa in its raw form rather than getting it processed decades after the cocoa research was set up.
Before its establishment in the 60s, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, looked up to the CRIN, also in Ibadan, as its model.
Today, IITA lives up to its billing as a world-class research institute in name, infrastructure and delivery on mandate, while CRIN, its role model, remains nothing but ‘a victim of policy summersault’ like other research and allied institutes in Nigeria.
Nigeria is not in short supply of institutes that were set-up to tackle developmental challenges. The Guardian checks revealed that these institutes are in a sorry state of infrastructural decay and near-zero allocation for research. Some of them have become mere structures standing in name.
Others are not adequately tooled to conduct and sustain ground-breaking studies in their areas of mandate to solve many of the problems facing the Nigerian society.
Some of the institutes include Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Samaru, Kaduna State, established in 1922 to improve farming systems in the northern region of Nigeria; Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan, Oyo State meant to conduct research on the genetic improvement of crops such as maize, kenaf and jute; and not forgetting the Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI), Maiduguri, Borno State aimed at improving millet, wheat, and barley as well as the National Agricultural Extension, Research and Liaison Services (NAERLS), Zaria, Kaduna State, that has the responsibility for coordinating agricultural extension services and research liaison to enhance agricultural productivity across Nigeria.
What of the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), which is to help research and develop root and tuber crops such as cassava and yam to improve food security and livelihoods, and the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) established in 1975 to help in fruits and vegetables research and demonstration, with the aim to enhance horticultural productivity.
Others are the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, Lagos meant to conduct research into food technology to accelerate industrialisation in Nigeria through the utilisation and value addition to agricultural produce; the National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi, Niger State, and the National Centre for Agriculture Mechanisation (NCAM), Kwara State.
There is also the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) established in 1992 for developing and promoting science and engineering infrastructure; the National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM), which focuses on the management of technology and innovation, and the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), which specialises in the research and development of pharmaceutical products, including drugs and vaccines, as well as the National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT) that was established for the development and commercialisation of chemical technologies, conducting research in areas such as chemical engineering, materials science, and environmental technology.
Similarly, the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Abia State, was set up to research into genetic improvement, production, processing, storage and socio-economics of root and tuber crops of economic importance (Yam, Cassava, Potato, Sweet potato, Cocoyam, Ginger, Hausa Potato, Sugerbeet, Radish, Rizga, And Amora (Arrow Root).
The Guardian gathered that the poor support systems have made a lot of researchers lack motivation to conduct research. It was also gathered that some researchers use their salaries to conduct research; publish articles and to attend conferences. Consequently, these have hindered the country’s achievement of sustainable development goals, according to the study published by the open-access publication, Frontiers, in October 2021.
The study in Frontiers, titled, ‘Focused Research on the Challenges and Productivity of Researchers in Nigerian Academic Institutions Without Funding’ was written by 12 researchers and adopted a qualitative exploratory design, involving academics at various research and tertiary institutions across the six geographical regions in Nigeria.
The respondents comprised researchers, lecturers and others who are also involved in research activities drawn from Nigerian universities, research institutes and polytechnics, with 56.6 per cent, 30.5 per cent and 12.9 per cent of respondents, respectively.
Findings from the study revealed that Nigerian scientists attributed the decline in research productivity to various constraints, including a lack of research funding (42.98 per cent); brain drain (17.11 per cent) and a lack of motivation (8.85 per cent).
The study revealed that 68.5 per cent of the respondents reported that adequate funding of research would motivate effective research performance, while 37.4 per cent were of the view that collaborative research is a practice that could enhance research outputs.
Similarly, a seasoned researcher, Dr Kehinde Amoo, noted that while some research institutes are doing averagely well, the majority are underperforming or underutilised.
The underperformance, he said, could be attributed to several systemic, structural, and operational challenges that include inadequate and inconsistent funding, weak linkages between research and industry, poor extension services and technology transfer, bureaucratic bottlenecks and administrative inefficiencies, brain drain and low research motivation, poor research commercialisation and patent culture, infrastructure decay and outdated equipment.
Others he listed were weak policy implementation and government neglect, lack of monitoring, evaluation, and accountability.
Amoo maintained that unless these structural issues are addressed, Nigeria’s research institutes would continue to underperform, and the nation would struggle to benefit from their potential contributions to economic and industrial growth.
He, however, said the way forward is for Nigeria to increase and sustain funding for research institutes, strengthen relationships between research institutions and industries, improve extension services to ensure research findings reach the end-users, reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks and ensure merit-based leadership appointments, provide better incentives to retain top researchers and attract talent, establish a commercialisation framework for research outputs and upgrade infrastructure and research equipment.
On the claim by these institutes that they have great research and innovation that are not yet impacting society positively, Amoo stated that for Nigeria’s research institutes to have meaningful societal impact, they must shift from being predominantly academic institutions to becoming solution-driven innovation hubs.
“By fostering industry partnerships, improving commercialisation efforts, and ensuring that research addresses pressing societal challenges, Nigeria can unlock the true potential of its research sector and drive sustainable development,” he stated.
Amoo said to transform research outputs into impactful innovations that benefit society, Nigeria must adopt a more strategic and practical approach that include strengthening research-industry-government collaboration; establishing partnerships between research institutes, industries, and government agencies to ensure research addresses real-world needs; creating innovation hubs where researchers and entrepreneurs can co-develop solutions; implementing policies that incentivise companies to invest in local research and development as well as focusing on research commercialisation and entrepreneurship to encourage research institutes to develop business models for their innovations.
Former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Peter Okebukola, who is a former vice chancellor of the Lagos State University, told The Guardian in an earlier interview that, “our universities and research institutes are working at less than 30 per cent installed capacity in terms of outputs of research and innovation owing to severe limitations in facilities and human capacity.”
A public policy and advocacy specialist, Adewale Adeduntan, said the stagnation of research institutes in Nigeria could be attributed to a combination of inadequate funding, poor governance, limited industry collaboration and a weak research-to-policy implementation framework.
He noted that chronic underfunding has led to insufficient infrastructure, outdated equipment, and low researcher motivation owing to poor remuneration, adding that bureaucratic inefficiencies, political interference, and mismanagement further hinder effective operations and stifle innovation and progress.
“Additionally, there is a disconnect between research outputs and real-world application, as findings often fail to influence policy or attract industry investment due to weak linkages between academia, government, and the private sector. The lack of intellectual property protection and commercialisation strategies has also discouraged researchers from pursuing groundbreaking work.
“Furthermore, brain drain — where top talents seek better opportunities abroad — has further weakened the country’s research capacity,” Adeduntan observed.
Programme Officer at the Centre for Communication and Social Impact, Ayo Ladipo, observed that the fundamental issue is that the country is not taking educational and research institutes seriously.
“We can see that funding for educational, scientific and research institutes are abysmally low. And we have not been able to connect how research is the backbone of any developed country. And decision makers think that it is just by chance, and that we can do whatever we like with research and education, as it is not going to matter. And many of these research institutes have now become tools for legislators to implement constituency projects.
“If you look at some of these research institutes and educational boards and colleges, you would see that, for instance, 70 per cent of their capital expenditure has nothing to do with their primary mandates.
“In most cases, political leaders in government worsen the cases through partisanship and utter disregard for extant rules in the appointment of chief executives of the institutes.
“In such appointments, political appointees and topnotch technocrats in the supervising ministries go outside the system to install people who know little or nothing about the agencies they are appointed to lead, thereby straying away from the mandates of such institutions and frustrating career researchers, thus leading to low morale among key personnel.
It is, therefore, not surprising that each year, these institutes get allocated huge funds through budgetary provision by lawmakers who should provide oversight to ensure they deliver on their mandate. Surprisingly, these allocations are not meant for their primary duties but for something completely irrelevant to the vision and goal for which they were set up,” Ladipo observed.
For instance, The Guardian observed that the National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi, Niger State, was the agency responsible for one of the constituency projects in Ikeja, Lagos State. The project, facilitated by James Faleke, the legislator representing Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, is for the provision and supply of solar powered street lights at Oduduwa Crescent and Way, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.
A perusal of the agency’s specific functions as stipulated on its website revealed that it has the mandate to research on the problems of rice, maize, grain legumes, sugarcane as well as those of farming systems throughout Nigeria. The mandate also includes conducting research into genetic improvement and improved production system of rice, soyabean, sugarcane, acha and castor, as well as design and or fabrication of agricultural implements and equipment.
Another of such projects is the construction of Ojulowo Imoshe Road, also in Ikeja, which was executed by the National Centre for Agriculture Mechanisation (NCAM), Kwara State, an agency with the sole assignment of accelerating agriculture mechanisation in Nigeria.
In the 2024 appropriation act, NCAM had N38.889 billion budget. But a look into the details of the budget revealed only N496.6 million was directly owned by the institute, with N37.6 billion reserved for constituency projects.
This report could not accommodate all the constituency projects listed in the 2024 budget of NCAM but some of the projects included provision of motorcycles, sewing machines and grinding machines to youths, women in Nyzlun and other locations in North Central zone at N90.9 million; provision of tricycles to youths in Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency, Oyo State at N100 million; provision of solar street lights in various locations in Amakupu-amata-Ubegu-ihie, Ebonyi State at N10 million; provision and installation of solar streetlights in communities in Adamawa at N120 million; completion of Erena Islamic Centre in Shiroro/Rafi/munya Federal Constituency, Niger State at N45.45 million; skill acquisition programme for unemployed youths and vulnerable persons in Etche LG, Rivers State at N100 million; skill acquisition programme for youths/vulnerable persons in Omuma Rivers State at N100 million; construction of examination hall at Kisi Community Grammar School, Oyo State at N90 million; construction of FRSC office in Igboho, Orelope LG, Oyo at N35 million; construction/renovation of selected schools in Badagry, Lagos at N100 million; reconducting/electrification of Babanna line, Agwara/Borgu, Niger State at N100 million.
There were also eight contracts for construction of rural markets stall, solar lights, borehole in Yewa South; Imeko-afon; Ado-odo Ota; Yewa North; Ipokia; Oke-Odan, Ayetoro, Ilaro; Imasayi, Aseko, Ijoun; and Ita, Egbe Iwoye and Ipokia, all in Ogun State at N500 million each amounting to N4 billion.
Similarly, there were 10 contracts on equipping/furnishing of ICT centre in Abak, Essien, Etim Ekpo, Ika, Ikono, Ikot Ekpene, Ini, Obot, Oruk Anam and Ukana fun at an average N150 million each amounting to N1.5 billion.
Other projects included scholarship/educational grants to students/undergraduates in Bayelsa West Senatorial District at N200 million; construction of office block for federal security officers (DSS, civil defence, NDLEA) in Tom-oma at N100 million; provision of furniture for schools in Ijeshatedo, Itire, Orile, Coker, Ikate, Aguda at N200 million; provision of electricity transformer in Itire-Coker at N250 million; provision of electricity transformers in Surulere at N150 million; and provision of patrol vehicles in Lagos at N500m.
However, the Public Relations Officer of NCAM, Taye Paul Olaife, argued that the allocation of a significant portion of NCAM’s 2024 budget to constituency and zonal intervention projects does not distract the centre from achieving its core mandate.
“In fact, many of these projects are agriculturally focused and align with our primary objective of advancing agricultural mechanisation in Nigeria. Several of these projects involve fabrication, equipment development, and mechanisation-related interventions, which fall within NCAM’s expertise. Even for projects that may not directly align with our core mandate, we have a team of specialists and professionals within the centre who are capable of handling them effectively.
“That said, while these projects contribute to agricultural development, NCAM would greatly benefit from increased capital project funding specifically tailored to its institutional growth and expansion. This would enable us to strengthen research, develop more innovative technologies, enhance commercialisation efforts, and establish mechanisation sub-centres across the country to better serve farmers,” Olaife stated.
He insisted that the agency has made significant strides in achieving its core mandate of mechanising Nigeria’s agriculture, adding: “However, various challenges hinder the full realisation of our objectives. In summary, while NCAM has made substantial progress in fulfilling its mandate, challenges such as inadequate modern manufacturing tools, the absence of a foundry, lack of legislative authority for equipment standardisation, and the need for regional sub-centres continue to limit our impact. Addressing these challenges will significantly enhance Nigeria’s agricultural mechanisation efforts, positioning the country for greater food security and economic growth.”
On the innovations by the institute, he stated that NCAM has developed numerous groundbreaking agricultural mechanisation technologies, but their societal impact has been constrained by limited reach.
“One of our major innovations is the NCAM tractor, which comes in different sizes and capacities to suit various farming needs. We have also developed the yam mound-making implement, the first of its kind in the world. Given that Nigeria is the largest producer of yam globally, this innovation is groundbreaking, as it can create approximately 2,650 yam mounds per day, significantly improving yam cultivation efficiency.
“Additionally, we have developed various planting machines tailored for different crops, including cassava planters and grain planters, available in single-row, double-row, three-row, and four-row models. We are also currently working on a rice transplanter to further mechanise rice cultivation.
In the area of weeding and fertilisation, NCAM has produced different weeders and a fertiliser applicator to enhance precision and efficiency in farming. We have also developed harvesters for different crops, including cassava and grains, and we are currently working on a mini combined harvester — a scaled-down version of the conventional imported combine harvester.
“Beyond cultivation, NCAM has designed comprehensive processing technologies for cassava, rice, and other staple crops. A major breakthrough in this area is the multi-crop thresher, which can thresh six different crops — rice, sorghum, millet, maize, cowpea, and soybean. This machine has been tested, standardised, and has even attracted international recognition due to its effectiveness in reducing post-harvest losses,” he added.
Olaife, however, argued that while the innovations by his institute have the potential to revolutionise Nigerian agriculture, they have not yet reached as many farmers as needed, limiting their societal impact.
“The primary reason for this is that NCAM is mandated to focus on research and development (R&D) and technology prototyping, not mass production. Our role is to develop and standardize these machines, then train fabricators across the country to mass-produce them,” he noted.
No wonder Adeduntan noted that the growing involvement of Nigerian research institutes in executing constituency projects raises valid concerns about mission drift and the diversion of critical resources from core research functions.
“While collaboration with policymakers can enhance research impact, direct implementation of politically driven projects often undermines institutional integrity, disrupts long-term research agendas, and shifts focus from evidence-based innovation to short-term infrastructural interventions,” Adeduntan submitted.
He said clear policy guidelines must be established to define the role of research institutes in public sector collaborations, ensuring that engagements align with their mandates rather than political expediency or for grafts.
He also suggested strengthening institutional autonomy, enforcing accountability mechanisms, and prioritising funding for research-driven solutions to safeguard the primary role of research institutes in driving scientific and technological advancements.
“Research institutes should remain knowledge hubs, providing expertise to guide development projects rather than serving as implementing agencies for political initiatives conceived with precarious motives and intents,” he added.
On his part, Ladipo wondered why research institutes, for instance, are building roads, supplying and mounting solar boreholes. His words: “Last year, when we went to the website of the Cereal Research Institute, there was not one documented research on its website. Yet, this institute received over N500 billion for capital expenditure projects. But the business that they are being established for, they are not receiving funding for it.
“They are just being used as a channel to implement constituency projects that do not impact the lives of Nigerians much. And so we are not funding research institutes for development. And we are not able to make findings that will help us to invent or innovate. We’re going to keep trying to catch up with other developed nations if our research institutes and educational institutions are not equipped to be at the forefront of issues.”
It is established that a primary obstacle to the research institutes delivering on their mandate is inadequate and irregular funding. Unlike developed countries that dedicate 1.5 per cent to 3.0 per cent of its GDP to research, Nigeria’s yearly research budget is approximately 0.3 per cent of its GDP, significantly below the recommended five per cent outlined in the National Science Policy.
On realigning these institutes with their original objectives, Adeduntan said a multi-faceted approach is essential, beginning with increased and sustainable funding to upgrading infrastructure, procuring modern equipment, and improving researchers’ welfare.
He added that strengthening governance through transparent leadership, merit-based appointments, and reduced political interference will enhance institutional efficiency.
He also suggested establishing stronger partnerships with industries, universities, and international organisations to bridge the gap between research and practical application, ensuring findings translate into policy and innovation.
He also noted that commercialisation through intellectual property protection, patents, and technology transfer will incentivise groundbreaking research and attract private-sector investment.
“Additionally, creating a dynamic research-to-policy framework will ensure that research outcomes directly inform national development strategies. To retain top talent and curb brain drain, competitive salaries, grants, and professional development opportunities must be prioritised,” he added.
Ladipo noted that research institutes are the backbones of any developed nation, observing that there is no nation that has grown or has innovated or done anything without research.
“So, our research institutes should go back to the original mandates. They have to be properly funded so that they can take this country to the next level.”
Ladipo stressed the need for research institutes to focus on fulfilling their mandates to effectively contribute to societal progress, innovation, and knowledge creation, ensuring their continued relevance and impact.
“Research institutes exist to address specific societal needs or knowledge gaps. Fulfilling their mandates ensures that their work remains relevant and impactful, contributing to real-world problems and solutions.”
Ladipo, however, did not buy the suggestion that the research institutes should be shut. “We just need to make them do what they were set up for through appropriate funding.”
Speaking in the same vein, Adeduntan stated that scrapping underperforming research institutes in Nigeria may seem like a solution, but a more strategic approach would be to reform and realign them with national development priorities.
“Many institutes suffer from inadequate funding, poor governance, political interference, and a lack of innovation-driven mandates. Instead of outright dissolution, a thorough performance audit should be conducted to identify inefficiencies, consolidate redundant institutions, and redirect resources towards revitalising those with potential for impact.
“Merging or repurposing some institutes to align with emerging global and national challenges such as climate change, digital transformation, and food security could enhance their relevance. However, if certain institutes have become completely obsolete, lack a clear purpose or duplicate existing structures without delivering value, then dissolving them may be a justifiable option to free up resources for more productive research and development efforts,” he said.
On measures to ensure that research priorities of the institutes are not overshadowed by political agendas, Adeduntan said: “To ensure that research priorities remain independent of political agendas and corrupt influences, Nigerian research institutes must be governed by clear policies that safeguard their autonomy and uphold research integrity.
“A transparent, merit-based funding system should be established, where allocations are tied to strategic national development goals rather than political patronage. Strengthening oversight mechanisms through independent research councils, peer review committees, and performance audits will enhance accountability and prevent undue interference.
“Additionally, fostering partnerships with international research bodies, private sector stakeholders, and civil society can provide alternative funding streams, reducing reliance on politically influenced allocations. Significantly, establishing strict ethical guidelines and whistleblower protections will further deter corruption, ensuring that research remains driven by scientific inquiry and national progress rather than vested interests.”
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