The Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) has called on federal and state governments to prioritise increased investment in scientific research, innovation, and development as a critical driver of national growth and sustainable development.
The Academy made the call amid persistent underinvestment in research and development, governance challenges in educational and research institutions, and the rising demand for science-based solutions to national challenges such as climate change, energy transition, public health, food security, and industrial competitiveness.
In a statement jointly signed by the President of the NAS, Professor Abubakar Sambo, and the NAS’s Public Affairs Secretary, Professor Chinedum Babalola, countries that have achieved sustained economic growth and technological advancement have done so through deliberate and long-term investments in science, supported by robust research systems and strong institutions.
The Academy emphasised that investments in science should go beyond funding research projects to include strengthening human resource capacity, developing research infrastructure, and building institutional systems that support effective research and innovation.
NAS also stressed that proper governance in educational institutions and research institutes is essential for ensuring transparency, accountability, and operational efficiency, regardless of the level of financial investment in the nation’s knowledge institutions.
The body further stated that the appointment of chairmen and external members of governing councils of universities and research institutions should be strictly merit-based, giving preference to individuals with relevant academic qualifications and demonstrable experience in the governance and administration of tertiary institutions.
They also expressed concern over the appointment of non-technocrats and non-specialists as chief executives of research institutes and science-based agencies, urging that such appointments be reviewed and, where necessary, reversed to ensure that leadership positions are occupied by individuals with appropriate technical expertise and proven research credentials.
In addition, NAS frowned at what it described as irregularities in the appointment of vice-chancellors in some universities in recent times, emphasising the need for due process and strict adherence to standard operating procedures to ensure credible and merit-based decisions.
The Academy noted that strengthening institutional systems and adhering to established procedures would help build research institutions that are innovative, credible, and globally competitive.
NAS therefore urged both federal and state governments to adopt its 2026 agenda by increasing and effectively managing investments in research, while fostering a national culture of excellence, accountability, and innovation in science and technology.
The Nigerian Academy of Science is Nigeria’s foremost independent scientific body, dedicated to advancing science, technology, and innovation and promoting the use of scientific knowledge to address national challenges and guide policy direction.