Tinubu writes Senate, makes request
President Bola Tinubu has written to the Senate, requesting to approve a bill seeking to establish the National Research and Development Fund.
The proposed legislation, known as the National Research and Development Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2026, is aimed at bringing together various research funding arrangements currently spread across ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
Under the proposal, the fund would provide a central system through which research institutions, agencies and academic organisations could seek financial support for research and development activities.
The Federal Government said the move is intended to improve the management of funds allocated to research and make better use of available resources. It also seeks to reduce the duplication of funding structures among government research bodies.
The proposed fund is expected to operate as a central and competitive financing platform for research and development. It would also promote cooperation between research institutions, universities and private companies.
The bill further seeks to support new inventions, direct research funding towards national priorities and improve transparency in the way money for research projects is allocated. Another objective is to encourage the development and commercialisation of technologies produced in Nigeria.
The proposed agency would operate under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology. The bill also provides for funding through the Nigerian Content Development Fund.
The President said the need for the new funding structure had become necessary because several research institutions and agencies currently operate under separate mandates and receive individual budgetary allocations.
According to the proposal, bringing the different funding arrangements under one system would make it easier to manage limited resources and support the development of science, technology and innovation across the country.
The bill was reportedly reviewed by relevant government stakeholders, including the Ministries of Education, Innovation, Science and Technology, and Justice, before it was forwarded to the Senate.
The review was intended to ensure that the proposed law fits into the country’s education, scientific and technological development plans while providing a clear legal framework for the proposed fund.
Following the President’s request, the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for further consideration and legislative action.
The committee is expected to examine the proposal before the bill proceeds through the required stages of consideration in the National Assembly.
