Tinubu Sends National R&D Fund Bill to Senate

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

Tinubu, in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and read at plenary on Tuesday, said the bill seeks to consolidate research financing and ensure more efficient utilisation of resources.
Tinubu, in the letter, said:

“I am pleased to transmit to the Senate, for consideration, the National Research and Development Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2026.

“The bill is prepared in a bid to consolidate research financing, ensure more efficient utilisation of resources.
“It will 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 which research agencies and academic institutions can access funding.”

According to the President, the establishment of the fund will serve as a competitive central funding mechanism to foster strategic collaboration among research agencies, academia and the private sector.

He said the Fund would catalyse groundbreaking innovations and streamline resource allocation based on strategic national priorities.

He said the bill would ensure strict transparency in funding decisions through evaluation criteria and drive the commercialisation of home-grown technology to reduce foreign technological dependency.

Tinubu said the bill establishes the National Research and Development Fund as an agency under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, with direct funding from the Nigerian Content Development Fund.

“It is pertinent to note that with the current proliferation of research institutions and agencies operating within the research and development commercialisation landscape, each agency operates with a separate mandate and budgetary allocations.

“The bill therefore seeks to enable effective management of the limited financial resources available to these institutes and research agencies for the efficient development of Science, Technology and Innovation in Nigeria,” he said.

The President said the bill had been thoroughly reviewed and vetted by relevant key stakeholders, including the Ministries of Education and Innovation, Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Justice.

He said the review was to ensure that the legislative structure aligns seamlessly with national education objectives and scientific innovation priorities, while ensuring legal precision, institutional harmony and statutory clarity.

“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.
“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,” Tinubu said.