FG budgets N918b for research, devt in 10 years 

As inventor calls for inventors’ bank 
Federal Government allocated the sum of N918.79 billion to research and development activities between 2010 and 2019, a report sighted by The Guardian has revealed. 

The document, which analysed funding of Government Budgetary Allocation on Research and Development (GBARD) over a 10-year period, 2010 to 2019, revealed an average annual appropriation of N91.88 billion by the Federal Government for research and development activities.  

The report was commissioned by the National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM), an agency of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology. 

While 2015 witnessed the lowest research and development funding of N46.6 billion within the period under review, 2017 recorded a peak of N197.4 billion. 

A breakdown showed that while the Federal Government earmarked N71.9 billion, N57 billion and N65.4 billion for 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively, it allocated N125.5 billion for 2013, N66 billion for 2014, N46.6 billion for 2015, and N66.7 billion for 2016.  

It then climaxed to N197.4 billion in 2017 before nosediving to N126.3 billion and N96.5 billion in 2018 and 2019 respectively.  The report noted: “This trend highlights the inconsistency in the funding levels for R&D projects and related activities. This shows a need for a strategic governance system that determines the thrust, direction and funding of R&D activities in Nigeria. The low allocation of capital expenditure for R&D projects and related activities indicates the need for more sustainable funding mechanisms and policies to support R&D activities in Nigeria. It is essential to encourage more investment in R&D to drive innovation, development, and competitiveness in various sectors of the economy.” 

On policy recommendations, the report called for increased research and development funding, long-term investments, public-private partnerships and introduction of measure to ensure stability in minimising disruptions caused by changes in government policies. 

In an interview with The Guardian, the National President, Association of Nigerian Inventors, Lawrence Nzenagu, made a case for the establishment of a specialised bank for inventors. 

The National President also urged government to leverage additional funding for research and development by partnering with the private sector. 

“Inventors need inventors bank. When you are a leper, you will know what other lepers are feeling. When you are in a furnished office, you can’t know what others are feeling on the streets. And this inventors’ bank should be manned by seasoned inventors with results that know what it takes to do research, get your patent come out with commercialisable products.