Most developed and developing countries are alike because their Governments are trying all they can to improve and promote science and technology, through investments in research and development (R&D) which is not just limited to the government’s participation only. There are private and non-governmental organizations who are committed to sponsoring scientific research mostly in developing countries.
Dating back, scientific research and development in Nigeria operated like other department of a ministry. The exception was that the research departments were all headed by scientists and engineers when they were established in the 1940s.
The first effort towards coordinating scientific research in Nigeria was in 1970 with the establishment of the Nigerian Council for Science and Technology [NCST]. It was charged with the responsibility of ordering national priorities in scientific research and coordinating and supervising both basic and applied research activities in the country. Two other subsidiary councils viz the Agricultural Research Council and the Industrial Research Council were established in 1971, while the Medical Research Council and the Natural Science Research Council of Nigeria were created in 1972 and 1973 respectively to assist the NCST in specific areas. Throughout the six years of the existence of the NCST there were various complaints concerning its relevance to the economic development of Nigeria. Consequently, in 1973, virtually all the research departments in the various ministries were made autonomous research institutes. These institutions are:
| NAME OF RESEARCH INSTITUTE | YEAR ESTABLISHED | FORMAL MANDATE |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Chad Research Institute | ||
| P.M.B 1293, Gamboru Road Maiduguri, Borno State | 1960 | Genetic improvement and development of production technologies for wheat, millet, and barley; the improvement of the productivity of the entire farming system in the North Eastern Zone |
| Institute for Agricultural Research | ||
| P.M.B 1044
Ahmadu Bello University. Samaru Zaria |
1924 | Genetic improvement and development of production and utilization technologies for sorghum, maize, cowpea, groundnut, Cotton, sunflower, and the improvement of the productivity of the entire crop-based farming system in
the North West Zone of Nigeria |
| Institute of Agricultural Research and Training | ||
| P.M.B 5029,
badan, Nigeria |
1956 | Soil and water management research, genetic improvement of kenaf and jute, and improvement of the productivity of the entire farming system of the South West Zone |
| National Cereal Research Institute | ||
| P.M.B 8 Badeggi, Bida Niger State | 1957 | Genetic improvement and production of rice, soybean, benniseed, sugarcane and improvement of productivity of entire farming system of the Central Zone |
| National Root Crop Research Institute | ||
| P.M.B 7006, Umudike, Umuahia, Abia State | 1976 | Genetic improvement of cassava, yam, cocoyam, Irish potato, sweet potato, and ginger and overall research in improvement of farming system of the South East Zone |
| Abia State | ||
| National Horticultural Research Institute | ||
| P.M.B 5432 Idi-Ishin,Ibadan | 1975 | Research into genetic improvement, production, processing and utilization of fruits and vegetables, as well as ornamental plants |
| Nigerian Store Product Research Institute | ||
| P.M.B 1489km 3 Asa Dam Road, Ilorin Kwara State | 1977 | Research into improvement of major food and industrial crops and studies on stored product pest and diseases, pesticides formulation and residue analysis |
| Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria | ||
| P.M.B 1049 Iyanomo, Benin City | 1961 | Research into genetic improvement, production and processing of rubber and other lather producing plants |
| Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria | ||
| P.M.B 5244 Idi-Ayunre, Ibadan | 1964 | Genetic improvement, production and local utilization research on cocoa, cashew, kola, coffee and tea |
| Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research | ||
| P.M.B 1030,
Benin City |
1939 | Research into genetic improvement , production and processing of oil, coconut, date, raphia and ornamental palms |
| National Animal Production Research Institute | ||
| P.M.B 1096 Shika,
Zaria |
1977 | Research on food animal species and forages |
| National Veterinary Research Institute | ||
| P.M.B 01
Vom |
1924 | Research into all aspects of animal diseases, their treatment and control, as well as development and production of an |
| National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries | ||
| Research, P.M.B 6006,
New Bussa |
1968 | Research into all freshwater fisheries, and long term effects of man-made lakes on ecology and environment throughout the country |
| Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine | ||
| Research P.M.B 12729 Victoria Island
Lagos |
1975 | Research into the resources and physical characteristics of Nigerian territorial waters and the high seas beyond; |
| National Agricultural Extension, Research and Liason Services | ||
| Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria | 1975 | Research into technology transfer and adoption studies; overall planning and development of extension liaison activities nationally; collation and evaluation of agricultural information |