FG assures continuous support to research activities in Nigeria

ABUJA (National Planning Commission Report) – The Minister / Deputy Chairman of the National Planning Commission, Abubakar Sulaiman (Dr) has assured that the  Federal Government will continue to provide necessary support to research activities in Nigeria and also ensure that the outcome of research efforts are translated to efficient service delivery.

Abubakar Sulaiman, who was represented by the Acting Secretary to the Commission, Bassey Akpayung gave this assurance in Kaduna on Tuesday November 18, 2014 at the opening ceremony of a training workshop aimed at improving the research capacity of the Directors of Planning, Research and Statistics (DPRS) for efficient service delivery.

The Minister stated that in a rapidly globalising and competitive world, the role of research in planning and development as well as designing of policy – focused initiatives cannot be over- emphasised. He explained that Nigeria’s Vision 20-2020 recognises the importance of Research and Development (R&D) in achieving the country’s vision and target; pointing out that one of the key policy thrusts of the vision is to develop and deepen the capability of government to consistently translate national strategic interests into action and results by instituting evidenced-based decision making in Nigeria’s public service. 

He further noted that the professionalization and pooling of DPRS for efficient service delivery is considered very critical by the government towards ensuring effective implementation of the plan. He added that the Federal and State Governments are co-operating in this regard.

“I would like to assure you that the Federal Government will continue to provide the necessary support to research activities in Nigeria and also ensure that the outcome of research efforts are translated into efficient service delivery. I am pleased to note that the mid-term report on the Transformation Agenda shows that one of the key areas of cooperation between the Federal Government and State Governments is the professionalization and pooling of the officers of DPRS, ” he said.

The workshop which was jointly organised by the National Planning Commission (NPC) and the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER) with the theme : “Improving Research Capacity of DPRS for Service Delivery and Attainment of the Transformation Agenda was aimed at increasing the productivity of DPRS staff and improving the relevance of DPRS as a hub for servicing the MDAs at the national and sub-national levels.