Nigerian universities and research institutes are failing to take advantage of numerous international funding opportunities for research and development, according to the African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC). This issue was discussed at a meeting organized by the APHRC for Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities and other key officials in Abuja.
Dr. Sindi Kirimi, the Programme Manager of the Catalyze Impact Initiative at APHRC, presented on the topic “Catalyzing African Research: Strategies for Excellence, Outputs, and Visibility.” He highlighted that only about 10% of research funds allocated to African institutions actually reach them. This is a significant concern given the large number of grants available globally.
Dr. Kirimi pointed out that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awarded a total of 30,160 grants between March 1994 and October 2021, with only 2,996 going to Africa-based institutions, accounting for just 9.9% of all grants. This disparity is primarily due to the lack of visibility and accessibility of African universities and research institutions on the global stage.
One major issue is that many African universities do not have well-maintained, functional websites. Without these, it becomes difficult for international donors and partners to learn about the institutions’ capabilities and researchers. Furthermore, the research conducted by African scientists is often published in local journals,
Which are not widely visible to an international audience. To combat this, APHRC is working with journal editors across Africa to create a unified platform for African journals. This platform aims to enhance the visibility and accessibility of African research globally.
In addition to these efforts, APHRC has developed a tool called the Research Readiness Assessment. This tool helps institutions showcase their human resources, infrastructure, and other capabilities, making them more attractive to international funders. Dr. Kirimi emphasized the importance of universities building a strong brand identity, which can facilitate partnerships and attract more funding.
Dr. Alphonsus Neba, Program Director at APHRC, highlighted the growing global opportunities for research funding and the urgent need for African institutions to build robust research ecosystems. He noted that sound financial management, excellent research environments, and strong leadership are crucial for these institutions to compete effectively for large-scale research grants.
Dr. Neba also mentioned the importance of adopting the Good Financial Grant Practice (GFGP) standard, an African-developed standard for effective grant management backed by major international funders. He warned that securing substantial grants from global donors would become increasingly difficult without this certification, regardless of the quality of research proposals or expertise.
“By embracing innovation and sound financial management, Nigerian universities can overcome the challenges that have hindered progress and usher in a new era of research excellence,” Dr. Neba said. “Universities that generate groundbreaking solutions to Nigeria’s most pressing problems and whose impact is felt in the lives of ordinary citizens will become beacons of success.”
Professor Yakubu Ochefu, Secretary General of the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), echoed these sentiments. Represented by Dr. Michael Tsebee, he stated that the APHRC-organized meeting marked a pivotal step in strengthening the research and development ecosystem within Nigerian universities. He emphasized the CVCNU’s commitment to promoting good financial grant practices, which would significantly enhance the chances of accessing substantial financial grants for research.
Addressing these challenges will require a concerted effort from Nigerian universities to improve their visibility and accessibility. By leveraging the available resources and adopting best practices in grant management, these institutions can position themselves to access the much-needed funds for advancing research and development.
