Tinubu Urges Senate to Back National Research and Development Fund Bill

President Bola Tinubu has forwarded the National Research and Development Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2026, to the Senate for legislative action and passage into law. The proposed legislation, transmitted by the President on Tuesday, aims to centralize the currently fragmented research and development funding spread across various government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, read the letter from President Tinubu during a plenary session. Akpabio assured that the Senate would prioritize the proposal, working towards its swift consideration and enactment.

In his letter, President Tinubu highlighted that the establishment of this fund would significantly enhance research financing, promote crucial collaborations between research bodies, academic institutions, and the private sector. He emphasized that the initiative would ensure resources are strategically channeled towards key national priorities.

President Tinubu further elaborated that the Bill is designed to "consolidate research financing, ensure more efficient utilization of resources" and unify the dispersed R&D funds from different MDAs under a single, central framework. He stated, “The Bill is prepared in a bid to consolidate research financing, ensure more efficient utilization of resources, and to consolidate the fragmented Research and Development Funds across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) into the National Research and Development Fund to serve as a central mechanism through which research agencies and academic institutions can access funding.”

The President added that “The establishment of the National Research and Development Fund will serve as a competitive central funding mechanism. It seeks to foster strategic collaboration among research agencies, academia and the private sector.” The Bill proposes the National Research and Development Fund as an agency supervised by the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, with direct financial backing from the Nigerian Content Development Fund.

According to President Tinubu, the current proliferation of research institutions, each operating with distinct mandates and budgetary allocations, necessitates improved management of available resources for advancements in science, technology, and innovation. He noted, “It is pertinent to note that with the current proliferation of research institutions and agencies operating within the research and development commercialization landscape, each agency operates with a separate mandate and budgetary allocations.”

The President confirmed that the Bill has undergone a thorough review by relevant stakeholders, including the Ministries of Education, Innovation, Science and Technology, and Justice, to ensure its alignment with national educational and scientific innovation objectives.

Concluding his letter, President Tinubu expressed his anticipation for the expeditious consideration and passage of the Bill. He wrote, “In consequence of the above, the National Research and Development Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2026 is hereby forwarded to the Senate for legislative action by the National Assembly. While it is my hope that the Senate will consider the Bill and its passage into law expeditiously, please accept, Distinguished Senate President, Distinguished Senators, the assurances of my highest consideration.”