The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), has joined the Science Granting Councils Initiative in sub-Saharan Africa to advance research excellence in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Prof. Suleiman Elias Bogoro Said National growth and competitiveness (in the context of a globalized economy) depends very much on continuous technological improvement and innovation-driven by a well-organized vibrant Research and Development System.
“We are confident that our admission into SGCl will open a new window of opportunities that will provide platforms that can serve as a fulcrum in achieving our goals of Nigeria’s transition to a knowledge economy in the 21 century. We are assured of quality partnerships and collaborations on the continent of Africa and beyond”. Prof Bogoro said
Starting in 2015, the Science Granting Councils Initiative has been jointly funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO, Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), South Africa’s National Research Foundation (NRF), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the Geman Research Foundation (DFG).
The initiative aims to strengthen the capacities of Science Granting Councils (SGCs) in sub-Saharan Africa in order to support research and evidence-based policies that will contribute to economic and social development.
According to Dr. Dominique Charron, Vice-President, Programs and Partnership Branch at Canada’s International Development Research Centre, “with the largest population and economy in Africa, Nigeria’s participation expands the potential for the Science Granting Councils Initiative to achieve its goals of strengthening science systems and building alliances between science granting councils in multiple regions across the sub-continent and internationally.”
Dr Aldo Stroebel, Executive Director, Strategic Partnerships at the National Research Foundation-South Africa and SGCI Executive Committee Member added It is with great pleasure to welcome the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) of Nigeria to the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI).
The NRF looks forward to working closely with the TETFund in advancing the Science, Technology, and Innovation agenda in Africa.”
Speaking on FCDO’s involvement and the benefit to Nigeria, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms. Catriona Laing CB said:
“Nigeria’s TETFund admission to the Science Granting Councils Initiative is a positive development that will better position Nigeria to maximise the commissioning and use of research for development, in line with critical national social and economic priorities.
The UK recognises the importance of science to address global challenges, we are pleased to have supported the TETFUND to join the SGCI and will continue to work in partnership with them and other ministries, departments, and agencies in Nigeria to better realise the benefits of science and research.
RN