Government has decided to channel a minimum of 1% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) into the funding of research and development of science, technology and innovation (STI), Minister for Business Development Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal has disclosed.
According to Dr. Mohammed Awal, the initiative by government is to encourage funding for STI related researches in the country, which will be increased from 1% to 3% of the GDP.
He made this statement during the launch of the 2018 Annual Meeting of the Science Granting Councils Initiatives Thursday.
“The government has decided to raise the level of funding for Research and Development on Science, Technology and Innovation to a significant percentage of the nation’s GDP. To this end, the President has pledged that a minimum of 1% of GDP will be applied towards Research and Development, and this will be increased with time until it reaches 3% of GDP,” the Minister said.
Dr. Awal explained that the 1% contribution from the GDP will be the main source of funding for the National Science, Technology and Innovation Fund, which has been set up to promote science, technology and innovation in the country.
“This will be the primary source of funding for the National Science, Technology and Innovation Fund, which is being established to support the development of the STI system of the country. The fund will be established as an autonomous body with oversight from the Ministry in charge of Science, Technology and Innovation,” he added.
The Minister for Business Development also intimated that plans are underway to promote the teaching and learning of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) nationwide.
“The Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation attaches extreme importance to the teaching of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) at all levels of the nation’s educational system. The Ministry also appreciates the value of innovation in our vision to apply science and technology towards our nation’s development. To this end, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education will be promoted throughout the educational structure of the country,” he said.
He revealed government’s plans to establish STEM Learning Centres at strategic locations nationwide, despite funding constraints.
The Science Granting Council Initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa (SGCI) aims at strengthening the capacities of science granting councils in sub-Saharan Africa in order to support research and evidence-based policies that will contribute to the continent’s economic and social development.
The initiative is funded by the Department for International Development UK; the National Research Foundation (NRF) South Africa; and the International Research Development Centre (IDRC).
