The government at all levels in Nigeria should leverage research findings to identify the root causes of socio-economic challenges and offer viable solutions.
They should utilise research outcomes to strengthen legislation, increase awareness, and allocate resources for combating gender-based violence effectively.
An expert in strategic communications, research, and public policy, Oluwatobiloba Akerele made this call after she was honoured with the distinguished fellowship of the Africa Institute of Public Administration (AIPA).
Pointing to the successes of such an approach to governance in some countries, Akerele said strategic research was crucial to driving seamless policy management and public administration, and particularly to developing policies that are tailored to their specific contexts.
Stressing the indispensable role of strategic research in policy management and public administration, she held that it was crucial for African governments to invest in strategic research for responsive governance systems.
She said: “Strategic research provides policymakers and administrators with reliable data, insights, and evidence-based analysis to make informed decisions.
“In Nigeria, for instance, the National Bureau of Statistics conducts regular surveys and research to gather crucial data on various socioeconomic indicators.
“This information guides policymakers in formulating effective policies, such as poverty alleviation programmes, infrastructure development plans, and healthcare reforms.
“Strategic research helps For example, in Tanzania, the government collaborated with researchers to conduct a comprehensive study on youth unemployment.
“The findings informed the design of targeted skill development programmes and entrepreneurship initiatives to address the issue.
“Strategic research provides empirical evidence to support policy formulation and implementation.
“In South Africa, the Human Sciences Research Council conducted research on gender-based violence, shedding light on the prevalence and consequences of this issue.
“Strategic research offers valuable tools and methodologies for conducting rigorous evaluations of policies.
“In Ghana, the government partnered with research organisations to evaluate the impact of free senior high school education policies.
“The research findings allowed policymakers to identify areas of success and areas needing improvement, leading to evidence-based adjustments in policy implementation.
“Strategic research fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing among African countries, enabling them to learn from one another’s experiences. Regional organisations such as the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) play a crucial role in facilitating research collaboration.
“For instance, ECOWAS promotes research on regional integration and development, allowing member states to share best practises and collaborate on policy harmonisation efforts.”
Speaking on Akerele’s choice for the honour, the Chair of the Governing Council of AIPA, Dr Ben Nwankwo, highlighted how Akerele’s accomplishments align with the standards and ethics of the African Institute of Public Administration.
Nwankwo explained that the award recognised Akerele’s sterling professional qualities, research expertise, and positive attitude towards promoting strategic public policy development and implementation.
The Africa Institute of Public Administration is a professional body established to make the management of public institutions and organisations in Africa more effective and results-oriented.
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