TINUBU SEEKS SENATE APPROVAL FOR NATIONAL RESEARCH FUND

President Bola Tinubu has forwarded the National Research and Development Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2026, to the Senate for consideration and passage.

The proposed legislation seeks to bring fragmented research and development funding across Ministries, Departments and Agencies under one central fund. The fund would provide financing for research institutions and academic bodies.

The letter transmitting the Bill was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary. Akpabio said the Senate would speed up consideration of the proposal.

Tinubu said the fund would improve the management of research financing, encourage collaboration between research agencies, universities and the private sector, and direct resources towards strategic national priorities.

The proposed National Research and Development Fund would operate as an agency under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, with funding from the Nigerian Content Development Fund.

Tinubu said the need for the fund was driven by the number of research institutions and agencies currently operating with separate mandates and budget allocations.

According to the President, the proposed legislation had been reviewed by relevant stakeholders, including the Ministries of Education, Innovation, Science and Technology, and Justice.

He urged the Senate to consider and pass the Bill quickly, saying the move would help strengthen research, science, technology and innovation financing in the country.