by Kazeem Abubaka

In the heart of Nigeria’s drive towards becoming an innovation-led economy, the years 2021-2022 marked a significant period for the country’s scientific and technological landscape. This was the time when the National Science and Technology Innovation (STI) Policy was actively shaped and refined. Engr. Kazeem Abubakar (PhD) played a pivotal role in this transformative journey. His leadership and dedication were instrumental in drafting and implementing a comprehensive STI policy aimed at steering Nigeria towards a knowledge-based economy. This story unfolds his journey, the collaborative efforts involved, and the impact of these initiatives on Nigeria’s future.

Participating in the National Science and Technology Innovation Policy
Dr. Kazeem Abubakar, an esteemed engineer and researcher, actively participated in the National Science and Technology Innovation Policy from 2021-2022. During this period, he was an integral part of the ministerial committee responsible for the final drafting of the STI policy. This policy was developed by NACETEM in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Innovation Science and Technology. The policy aimed to address the pressing need for a structured approach to science and technology in Nigeria, focusing on enhancing research and development (R&D) and fostering innovation across various sectors.

Drafting the Policy Implementation Plan: 2022-2023
In 2022, Dr. Abubakar’s role evolved as he led a dedicated team in drafting the National Science and Technology Innovation Policy Implementation Plan. This plan was developed for the period 2022-2023, providing a roadmap for translating the policy into actionable steps. Under his leadership, the team meticulously crafted strategies to ensure that the policy’s objectives were met. The implementation plan was crucial for the government’s vision to transition to an export-earning and knowledge economy, positioning Nigeria as a competitive player on the global stage.

The Role of STI Indicators
A significant aspect of the policy and its implementation plan was the use of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) indicators, particularly the Total Government Budgetary Allocation to R&D (GBARD) as a percentage of GDP. The data collected by NACETEM highlighted the fluctuations in GBARD over the years, which underscored the need for a more consistent and robust investment in R&D. The historical data showed GBARD values such as 0.0016% in 2007, dropping to 0.0005% in 2020, and a slight increase to 0.0006% in 2021. Recognizing the importance of these indicators, Dr. Abubakar’s team utilized artificial intelligence (AI) to project future trends, predicting a steady increase from 0.0008% in 2022 to 0.002% by 2035.

Strategic Focus on Economic Transformation
The drafted implementation plan aimed to support Nigeria’s transition towards an export-earning economy and a knowledge economy. This strategic focus was essential for addressing the challenges of capital flight and fostering a sustainable economic environment. The plan outlined various initiatives to enhance the legal and regulatory environment, improve economic and market dynamics, bolster technological infrastructure, and secure financial and intellectual property frameworks. These efforts were designed to create a conducive environment for innovation and attract both local and foreign investments in science and technology.

Challenges and Achievements
The journey to drafting and implementing the STI policy was not without challenges. The team had to navigate bureaucratic hurdles, ensure stakeholder engagement, and address funding constraints. Despite these obstacles, Dr. Abubakar’s leadership ensured that the policy was not only comprehensive but also pragmatic and aligned with Nigeria’s developmental goals. The collaborative effort between NACETEM, the Federal Ministry of Innovation Science and Technology, and other stakeholders resulted in a policy that was well-received and poised to make a significant impact.

Conclusion

by Ndi Euphrasia Atuh

Ndi Euphrasia Atuh from Cameroon joined the AEN in 2018. She is one of the founders of the Cameroon Consumer Service Organisation (Camcoso) – an organisation to protect the rights of consumers in basic services such as health, education, local governance, water and sanitation and hygiene. Through her work she got to know Effective Basic Services (eBase) in Cameroon, an active member of the AEN. They in turn introduced her to the AEN, but also to the concept of evidence- informed decision-making (EIDM). She describes the impact of EIDM:

“It was very revolutionary to our work. This changed the way that we work, from our fieldwork to advocacy. It also changed how we design projects. We now say let’s go in for what works… Getting involved in the evidence ecosystem has revolutionised things. We are using evidence as a barometer for our strategies, the design of our initiatives, the implementation of our activities. It has created a whole new level of impact.”

Ndi is also a runner up in the 2019 Africa Evidence Leadership Award (AELA). Although she is very appreciative of this acknowledgement, the most important thing for her is that:

“In this journey of evidence I want to see my awards in changing lives, I want to see evidence translate into day-to-day gains.” At a personal level the award has provided reassurance, boosted her confidence levels and inspired her in her work. At a professional level it opened doors for her to attend an evidence symposium in Brazil in September 2019. She learnt about the opportunity through the AEN newsletter, and obtained a letter of support from the AEN Secretariat. She was successful in obtaining a stipend to attend and describes the contribution of the AEN as follows:

“One of the criteria [for the award] was your evidence promotion activity in your country. My engagement with Africa Evidence Network pushed me to get opportunities to showcase my work so that I could meet this criteria, together with my fieldwork in Cameroon, the work of my own organisation, and the work we do with eBase. Now I had evidence of evidence-informed activities to meet the criteria… It was my first time leaving the country and continent. It was very exciting and a whole new experience for me.”

Closer to home the award has raised her profile and given her a platform in her community. It has made possible opportunities for her to meet with policy-makers at a local level who were not aware of what she was doing. Such opportunities will enable her to continue her local and international journey to promote the use of evidence.