MAPPING OF NATIONAL ACTORS NATIONAL OF MAPPING DATA AND INDICATORS ON SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH DOING RESEARCH IN NIGERIA Country Report National Centre for Technology Management & The Global Development Network July 2020 ASSESSMENT OF THE CONTEXT THE OF ASSESSMENT DOING RESEARCH IN NIGERIA Country Report DISCLAIMER This report is produced with support from Global Development Network. The views expressed in are not necessarily GDN's views. The Global Development Network is a public international organization that supports high-quality, policy-oriented social science research in developing and transition countries to promote better lives. www.gdn.int 2 Doing Research in NIGERIA Développement, the Bill & Melinda Gates THE DOING Foundation, the French Ministry of Foreign RESEARCH PROGRAM Affairs and International Development, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Bridging the research gap and improving Cooperation. In 2017, GDN conducted a 2 development policies synthesis of the pilot studies and developed a standard methodology for studying social Today, governments and donors alike have science research systems in developing little systematic information about the state countries,3 the ‘Doing Research Assessment.’ of social science research, except for in a few Since 2018, GDN has been implementing developed countries. Yet, the implementation Doing Research Assessments in partnership of the global agenda for sustainable with competitively selected national research development requires local research capacities institutions, with the aim of generating to ensure that the scientific community is evidence on research systems. The program equipped to critically analyze development also aims to support the emergence of a and policy challenges, and to accompany network of research institutions in the Global actions and reforms with contextualized South dedicated to informing national knowledge of the local environment. research policies, using new research-based, comparative evidence. An in-depth analysis of research systems is key to understanding how to bridge this gap Doing Research National Focal Points – and raise the profile of research generated A Southern network of local ‘research on in developing countries. Research systems research’ expertise analysis can help policymakers, donors and Through the collaboration between GDN and academics answer the question: What can these local institutions, the program aims be done to further generate and mainstream to inspire research policies, map research local research as a key input to public debate strengths, support research capacity-building and sustainable human development efforts and enhance the quality of research policies? that can be used for policy decisions and Assessing and benchmarking social local democratic debate in developing science research systems countries. Social science research provides a critical analysis of societies and human Doing Research (launched in 2014) is an behavior and contributes to a better initiative of the Global Development Network understanding of development challenges (GDN) that aims to systematically assess how – which is fundamental to realizing national the features of a national research system1 and global development agendas. Country impact the capacity to produce, diffuse and reports, comparative global reports and use quality social science research to the data will inform actors from research, benefit of social and economic development. development and policy communities about A pilot phase (2014-2017) in 13 countries was supported by the Agence Française de 2 www.gdn.int/sites/default/files/GDN-2017-DR-pilot- synthesis.pdf 1 In this document, the terms ‘research system’ and ‘social 3 www.gdn.int/sites/default/files/GDN%20-%20 science research system’ are used interchangeably. Theoretical%20Framework.pdf Doing Research in NIGERIA 3 their policy-oriented research environment which will lead to several knowledge outputs and how it can be improved. and awareness-raising efforts. Doing Research Assessment: to Doing Research Framework: the core of understand, map and assess research the assessment systems4 The Doing Research Framework is a mixed- A unique feature of the Doing Research method research module that allows a Assessment is the equal importance the contextualized comparative enquiry into methodology gives to production, diffusion a national research system, looking at key and uptake factors and actors in the analysis factors that determine the production, of systemic barriers and opportunities for diffusion and uptake of social science. It social science development. would typically serve as a magnifying glass to identify aspects that need the attention It involves three steps for analyzing the of the regulator, or to provide a baseline for factors that impact the social science strategizing investments in capacity-building research system in a given country or region, for research production, its diffusion or its use. Steps and activities for implementing a Doing The Framework acts as the basis for Research Assessment comparing and benchmarking research systems in different countries and includes Context analysis 54 indicators. These indicators are populated according to the national context framed by Mapping of research actors the National Focal Points (NFP); these follow Doing Research Framework the project guidelines while adapting them to their national environment. Therefore, each country follows the same framework and Collection of new data at country level general guidelines, allowing for comparisons Publication of the Doing Research between different reports of the indicators Assessment that define the Doing Research Assessments (DRA). The same is true for the Country National seminar and dissemination Reports, which follow a similar structure. 1. Production 2. Diffusion 3. Policy uptake Inputs 1.1 Research inputs 2.1 Actors & networks 3.1 Policy-friendly research Activities 1.2 Research culture 2.2 Research 3.2 Research-based and support services communication practices policymaking Outputs 1.3 Research output 2.3 Research 3.3 Research-based policy & training communication products tools Outcomes 1.4 Opportunities & 2.4 Popularization of 3.4 Research for better sustainability science policies 4 www.gdn.int/doing-research-assessment 4 Doing Research in NIGERIA ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This project enjoyed the support of many Prof. Okechukwu Ukwuoma, we received individuals and organizations to whom the organizational support in the form of access research team is immensely thankful. to infrastructure, consumables and, most importantly, the time to focus on the project. The Global Development Network The team also deeply appreciates the provided financial support. We received unwavering support of our colleagues while insightful comments, reviews and guidance we worked on this project. throughout the project from the Doing Research (DR) team at GDN. Francesco Obino, Our interviewees, enumerators and survey João Costa and Daniel Fussy are particularly respondents all demonstrated a high level of noteworthy. Their consistent availability commitment that resulted in the impressive online and offline was encouraging. response rate that the project recorded. Our mentor, Andy Frost, provided timely Several organizations, especially the National intellectual support at every stage of the Universities Commission, offered support with project. data, personnel and logistics. At the National Centre for Technology We also thank the project assistants for their Management under the leadership of diligence in the data entry. Research team Abiodun Egbetokun, Principal Investigator ([email protected]) Adedayo Olofinyehun, Project Manager ([email protected]) Aderonke Ayo-Lawal ([email protected]) Omolayo Oluwatope ([email protected]) Maruf Sanni ([email protected]) Utieyineshola Yusuff ([email protected]) Doing Research in NIGERIA 5 Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................................................................................. 14 Main findings ..................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Levers of Change ............................................................................................................................................................. 15 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................................ 18 The Case for Studying National Research Systems .................................................................................... 18 The Doing Research Program .................................................................................................................................. 19 Assessing the Social Science Research System in Nigeria ..................................................................... 20 Structure of the Report ................................................................................................................................................ 21 CONTEXT ANALYSIS ................................................................................................................................................................... 23 Political Context ..............................................................................................................................................................