Federal Government has launched a $500m-a-year fund to strengthen research and innovation in Nigeria, aiming to make the country more competitive in science and technology.
The National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF) was announced on 9 May 2026 by Education Minister Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa after a Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja.
Alausa called the fund a "game changer" and said it would tackle fragmentation in Nigeria’s research system by linking universities, research institutes, industry and government to national development goals.
He added that the government plans to provide up to $500m annually, making it one of Nigeria’s biggest investments in research and innovation.
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In addition, the money will support competitive research grants, upgrade innovation infrastructure, promote commercialisation of research findings, and boost skills development in science and technology.
The NRIDF, he said, will run under the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.
Oversight will come from a 17-member National Council on Research and Innovation chaired by the Vice President.
The government stressed the fund is part of its push for innovation-led growth, economic diversification and job creation through sustained investment in research and development.
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