Federal Government Laments Low Economic Returns from Tertiary Institutions
Recently, the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Kingsley Ude, voiced concerns about the low economic returns from research investments in Nigeria's universities, polytechnics, and other research institutions. While the minister's lamentations hold some validity, a deeper analysis reveals systemic failures rooted in government policy and implementation.
Policy Expectations vs. Reality
Section 5 of the National Policy on Education (NPE) outlines Nigeria's expectations from tertiary institutions. Specifically, sub-sections 87 and 88 detail the country's demands from universities, including relevant research aligned with national development goals and fostering community spirit through projects. However, the government's inability to meet these expectations contributes significantly to Nigeria's underdevelopment. As the policy initiator, the government holds allocative, legislative, executive, and coercive powers to enforce implementation, yet it often lacks the will to do so.
At a strategic meeting on commercialising scientific research outcomes, Ude highlighted that "too many valuable research outputs remain on laboratory shelves, in technical reports, or in academic journals without translating into products, services, or enterprises that can transform lives." This stagnation stems from broader issues in education policy. Section 18(1) of the constitution mandates equal and adequate educational opportunities for all citizens, with sub-section 3(c) advocating for free university education. Tertiary education is crucial for human capital and national development, as emphasised in NPE Section 5(81), which aims to:
- Contribute to national development through high-level manpower training.
- Reduce skill shortages by producing skilled labour relevant to market needs.
- Promote scholarship, entrepreneurship, and community service.
Funding and Implementation Challenges
The government's performance in this area has been dismal. While adept at drafting policy documents, it fails in execution, leading to Nigeria's current predicament. Research is a capital-intensive and long-term endeavour, requiring sustained resources and patience. In other countries, such as the UK, public investment in research yields substantial societal benefits—for instance, £3.5 billion generating £45 billion in returns. In Nigeria, however, budgetary allocations to education rarely exceed 10% of the annual budget, far below UNESCO's recommendation of 15-20% or 4-6% of GDP. Corruption further diminishes these funds, leaving institutions under-resourced.
Consequently, tertiary institutions struggle to conduct meaningful research. Frequent strikes by teachers due to poor pay, limited resources, and adverse working conditions exacerbate the problem. With 309 universities, 147 polytechnics, and 66 federally funded research institutes covering sectors like health and agriculture, there is little tangible output. The private sector shows interest only in profitable ventures, yet government-guaranteed assistance during the gestation period is scarce.
Path Forward for National Development
Addressing these issues requires more than lamentation. To improve returns on research investments, the government must:
- Demonstrate credible and vigorous commitment to NPE provisions.
- Overhaul the personnel and machinery of tertiary education.
- Implement clear policies to encourage private sector involvement.
Honest introspection within the government is essential to uncover the root causes of tertiary institutions' low contribution to national development. Without a genuine will to act, Nigeria's commitment to progress remains in question, hindering the transformation of research into commercial successes that benefit society.
