FG set to establish research development foundation

The Federal Government has received the draft executive bill for the establishment of the National Research and Development Foundation (NRDF), being midwifed by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

Executive Secretary of TETFund, Professor Suleiman Bogoro, who received the draft bill on behalf of the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, from the NRDF Bill Drafting Committee in Abuja, lauded the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, for drafting staff of the Justice Ministry for the task.

Bogoro said with the draft bill already submitted, a foundation has been laid for driving Nigeria’s knowledge-driven economy, adding that the country has no option other than to embrace knowledge in its pursuit of economic development.

He noted that the document is clear on what it intends to accomplish, which is the establishment of a national research and development foundation that would coordinate research efforts in the country to usher it into a knowledge-based economy.

Bogoro applauded the committee for its efforts, saying it was a historic mission for the country, and that each of the persons invited to the R&D committee was mandated to make a specific contribution to the country.

The TETFund boss said Nigeria’s economy could not be competitive if it does not institutionalise research and development, R&D.

According to him, there was a need to rejig and reflect over the issue of governance in government and academic institutions, adding that many times the area of appropriate governance at all levels has failed the nation.

He said the most competitive nations are those that have recognised and placed innovation and creativity as the lead element that drives society.

“The greatest of thinkers in history were those that drove the direction of their nations; the greatest of thinkers do things beyond the average persons,” he said.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Drafting Committee, Prof Auwalu Yadudu, said the proposed document contains massive innovative ideas that would propel the knowledge economy in Nigeria.

The legal luminary, who commended the Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Professor Suleiman Elias Bogoro, for putting in place the committee and for his vision for R&D, said the country stands to reap bountifully when the bill is passed into law.

“This is a bill which seeks to establish a National Research and Development Foundation to institutionalise, mainstream and commercialise research and development; promote innovation and support enterprise development for job and wealth creation for the knowledge-driven economy. This is the key thing,” Professor Yadudu said.

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FG set to establish research development foundation