The Imperative of Institutional and Policy Framework for Dissemination of Research Output in Nigeria

Abstract

The author examines the role of research in national development with special emphasis on the essence of dissemination of research. As opposed to market mechanism, he raises some theoretical arguments to underpin the imperative of state intervention in the market for research information. He also discusses the fundamental problems of dissemination of research information in a developing African nation, like Nigeria. The approach of the discussion is conceptual and problem-solving, targeted at addressing the problems of dissemination of research findings with a view to promoting the development impact of research. The author observes that development impact of research in Nigeria is almost insignificant, circumscribed, not only by the volume of research output, but
much more constrained by the lack of mechanism and avenue for research dissemination. He then proposes that as the research process is never spontaneous, likewise the dissemination of research is a matter for a purposeful and concerted government intervention. The conclusion declares that the interventionist role of government is imperative, requiring an institution like
Research Brokerage Agency (RBA) to bridge the communication gap between the research community (research institutes, universities and other) and practitioners as well as end-users. And to maximise development, impact, an explicit national research policy is needed upon which a robust institutional framework is expected to be driven in the path of development.