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| Ministry of Science and Technology (Nigeria) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Ministry of Science and Technology (Nigeria) |
| Formation | 1970s |
| Jurisdiction | Federal Republic of Nigeria |
| Headquarters | Abuja |
| Minister | (See list of Nigerian ministers) |
| Website | (official website) |
Ministry of Science and Technology (Nigeria) is the federal body responsible for coordinating science, technology and innovation policy in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It connects national institutions such as the National Universities Commission, Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology, Nigerian Space Research and Development Agency and agencies across states including Lagos State University, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Ibadan and links to international actors like the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, World Bank and African Union.
The ministry traces roots to post‑independence initiatives linking the National Research Council of Nigeria with ministries for industry, mines and power and education, evolving through administrations of Olusegun Obasanjo, Shehu Shagari, Ibrahim Babangida and Goodluck Jonathan into a consolidated portfolio during reforms under Muhammadu Buhari and administrations influenced by reports from the Nigerian Academy of Science, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Presidential Task Force on Science and Technology and recommendations from the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy. Institutional realignments involved transfers with the Ministry of Communications Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Federal Ministry of Health and collaborations with the Nigerian Communications Commission and Central Bank of Nigeria.
The ministry’s statutory remit covers formulation of national science, technology and innovation policy, coordination of research funding and oversight of agencies including the Energy Commission of Nigeria, National Biotechnology Development Agency, Raw Materials Research and Development Council and liaison with tertiary institutions such as University of Nigeria, Nsukka and Covenant University. It provides technical advice to the President of Nigeria, supports implementation of sectoral strategies like the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy and engages multilateral partners such as the European Union, United Nations Development Programme and African Development Bank.
The ministry is organized into departments and directorates analogous to models used by the United Kingdom Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the United States Department of Energy, with portfolios for research coordination, industrial technology, biotechnology, energy research and space affairs administered by career civil servants, political appointees and heads drawn from institutions like National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure and university leadership from Obafemi Awolowo University. Committees and advisory councils include representatives from the Nigeria Academy of Engineering, Nigeria Society of Engineers, Nigerian Medical Association and private sector actors such as leaders from Dangote Group, MTN Nigeria and Shell Nigeria.
Major agencies under the ministry’s supervision include the Nigerian Space Research and Development Agency, Energy Commission of Nigeria, Raw Materials Research and Development Council, National Biotechnology Development Agency, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Nigerian Meteorological Agency and research institutes affiliated with Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, National Mathematical Centre and the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research. Parastatals and research centers collaborate with international bodies like NASA, European Space Agency, Food and Agriculture Organization and International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology.
Policy documents include the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy and sector plans aligned with the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, the Vision 2020 agenda and commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals. Programs span technology incubation, university‑industry linkages with Industrial Training Fund partnerships, agricultural biotechnology initiatives with International Institute of Tropical Agriculture and health research consortia involving Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and World Health Organization.
Funding streams derive from allocations in the Federal Budget of Nigeria, supplementary grants from the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, donor financing from World Bank, African Development Bank and bilateral partners including United States Agency for International Development, as well as internally generated revenue through fees from agencies like the Raw Materials Research and Development Council and project collaborations with private firms such as Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation affiliates. Budgetary constraints have been highlighted in audits by the Office of the Auditor‑General of the Federation and reviews by the Budget Office of the Federation.
Notable initiatives include coordination of the Nigeria Education Research and Development Project, support for the NigeriaSat programme via the Nigerian Space Research and Development Agency, renewable energy research partnerships with International Renewable Energy Agency, vaccines and biomedical research collaborations with Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and the establishment of technology parks modeled on Silicon Valley‑style incubators and linkage projects with Pan‑Atlantic University and African Institute for Mathematical Sciences.
The ministry has faced critiques concerning coordination inefficiencies, underfunding highlighted by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative and capacity gaps noted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the World Bank. Observers from the Nigeria Labour Congress, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre and academic commentators in outlets such as ThisDay, Punch (Nigeria) and Guardian (Nigeria) have pointed to overlaps with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Federal Ministry of Education, delays in project delivery tied to procurement disputes overseen by the Bureau of Public Procurement, and challenges meeting targets under international commitments like the Sustainable Development Goals.
Category:Science and technology in Nigeria