President Tinubu Approves ₦5 Billion For New National Research Program
By Trek Africa Newspaper
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the allocation of ₦5 billion for research initiatives in 2024, to be managed through TETFund’s National Research Fund. The announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, on Sunday, revealing that the initiative aims to address key national development challenges by focusing research efforts within public tertiary institutions.
Speaking during an inspection of the 2024 TETFund National Research Fair and Exhibition site in Abuja, Alausa emphasized the administration’s commitment to using research and innovation as drivers of economic growth. He highlighted that the success of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda would rely heavily on domestic research and technological advancement, stressing that no nation can achieve economic progress without effectively translating research into actionable solutions.
“The Research Fair will encourage collaboration among research and technology agencies, aiming to streamline their efforts for the advancement of nation-building,” Alausa said. He also noted the government’s intention to unify various research and innovation institutions currently scattered across different ministries, with the goal of improving their overall impact and efficiency.
The minister confirmed that the National Research Fund would receive contributions from public, private, and international sources, supporting researchers, engineers, and innovators to tackle urgent national issues in sectors like energy, healthcare, agriculture, water management, and telecommunications.
Alausa expressed satisfaction with TETFund’s ongoing efforts to enhance academic development, pointing out that Nigeria’s wealth of institutions, intellectual capacity, and natural resources provide a solid foundation for building a knowledge-driven economy.
