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RDI 3 Days Summit: Research is our greatest Asset And We can generate over 10 Trillion Revenue In Nigeria, Says stakeholders
At the end of a 3- days summit coordinated by Research for Impact, Knowledge-Economy, and Sustainable Development (RIKE-SD), in partnership with the West and Central Africa Research and Education Network (WACREN) and Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Abuja on Wednesday, 27th of March, 2024, the discussions centred around the pivotal role of research, development, and innovation in driving economic growth and prosperity.
The Chairperson Commission of Nigerians in Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, she highlighted the importance of our human and knowledge-based resources as our Nigerian greatest assets we can proud of. To be rated above, oil is our global knowledge-based resource rooted in research and innovations. The Diaspora chairman stressed the need for effective development to grow any Nation worldwide. She stated her Ministry had embarked on a series of projects that could enhance the results of RDI, transforming our country’s competitiveness worldwide.
We have over 17 million Nigerians in Diasporas, many of whom are doing well in their chosen fields.
Dr Popoola Mustapha, the Director of RIKE SD, Research Innovation and Knowledge Education and Sustainable Development (RIKE SD), added that the 3-day Summit has generated working groups that would be reconstituted as the national research Think-Tank. The Think Tank would be looking at the Agendas of Mr President; we have 8 groups that would later go into evidence theses to come out with solutions to the problems identified in this Summit. With our Pentagonal Nexus, we would work with five actors in typical RDI systems. The Academia, Industry and Government are to start with. Now, with our plans, we are incorporating the Funders because we don’t want to start looking for Funds after planning. As we plan, they are on the table. We would make it demand-driven and be sure we have the end-users, who are the people in mind.
Results to be achieved in these efforts would form parts of 8 points achievements in office. We need a driven committee not appointed but selected based on performance. Institutionalising these platforms for state and national actors to build sustainability. On Monday, we had the presence of the Honorable Minister of Science and Technology and The Chairman of the Commission of Nigerians in Diasporas; such presence was symbolic; after pro-creation in Nigeria, we are targeting other African nations. Over 17 million Nigerians in Diasporas, many of whom work in research and development fields; when unleashed potential, we would have over 10 Trillion in new Revenue in Nigeria in terms of new Knowledge. Many of these people hold critical roles in their chosen fields of innovation globally, so they would be glad to partner with this platform. They were well-funded abroad and were looking for an opportunity to partner with Nigeria. With us is a journey and Marathon because we will be accelerating processes. In the coming days, we will move to the following levels, presenting outcomes to the President and state governors and discussing how we can tap into outcomes.
The core institutions involved, the federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Agriculture, Health and others, will form a committee to drive the Summit outcome to develop the Nation. Institutions to drive the policies include the Nigerian Institute of Strategy; we have only 25 Agencies represented here and a one-day session scheduled for private sector drivers in the Nation. We are not closing borders; the platform is open for other sectors’ partnerships to fulfil our aims. One thing we have done differently is have a Think-Tank committee for the first time to tackle issues in line with President Tinubu’s mandate. The Think Tank committee would help the President provide solutions to several problems. We will also co-create solutions with Diasporas to engage and tackle challenges headlong.
Professor Sulaimon Elias Bogoro,Prof.Animal science and former Executive Secretary, TETFUND, at the Summit, Affirmed the roles of TETFUND in support of Educational Research in Nigeria, which, in other words, generated needed results in innovations and advancement. He said Nigeria’s research activities have been recognised by the African research field as number 6th. At the same time, it stands number one in the country due to our levels of integrity and structures. TETFUND has partnered with other ministries, such as MOU with the Ministry of Science and Technology. Cutting-edge innovations have been achieved via this partnership.
With 17 million Nigerians in the Diaspora, we need Data to use research and development to harness growth. What we want to do with all we have learnt at this Summit will determine the outputs of our activities here. There are lots of young people globally who are using cutting-edge innovations from our country. He stresses the essentials of the department in technology in research transfer innovation. He said we will have a research and development department at the University of Ibadan dealing with innovators in Diasporas.
In confirmations of institutions in the country that had received Grants in research, he mentioned Landmark and Redeemers University as significant institutions of Research Grants, but many still need to learn. In efforts to earn support for research innovations, he cited when he visited the Minister of Health residence for close to 2 hours of discussions on research and development in health sectors and looking forward to partnering with the Ministry to boost health innovations.
The Professor of Animal Science responded to Journalists’ questions on why there had been dwindled interest in research activities that it was because it’s not an activity you embarked on that guarantees you immediate results; you can start a little research and end up spending like 500 Dollars, so most people are not encouraged to do stuff like that. But we need to start somewhere; we are all aware that every Nation making so much progress breaks out from a resources-based to a knowledge-based economy. RDI is essential to the growth of any economy.
Those in the medical industry would understand that research is critical. Those with herbs had collaborated with researchers to fine-tune their activities. A few days ago, I heard someone mention bringing Innovation to Ado Bayero University (ABU) Zaria, which is a Chikabrown country breed, and that is a great innovation. However, we are so disappointed that there is no funding for the project. At FUNAAB University, they have FUNAAB-Alpha, an entirely new breed, sometimes non-scientific and very loud; when some say everything about GMB is wrong, I say no. Does it mean cross-breeding is wrong? Cause it’s also cross-breeding. In the content of effecting a change, In the Gene content of any Animal or plant, that is innovation, as it were. The lowest level is cross-breeding; at lower levels, we have animals that are F1 and are doing well. I want to confirm that significant innovations have gone out there. Still, the biggest challenge is our inability to recognise our intellectual properties and place them where they belong. Many brilliant scientists were also not rewarded for their innovative ideas beyond the laboratory. By increasing Research Grants, we would have great intentions. Most of the time, you hear many university lecturers discussing how to receive the next salary to feed their families because their salaries are not enough to cater for them. Nigerian professors’ salaries are equivalent to 300 dollars, while South Africa’s is 3000 dollars. These are issues that distract people; if we encourage, support and fund our Best and link with Industries in how we are recognised, things will improve.
You don’t rely on foreign nations’ results because they might not be willing to sell or share with you due to economic and political policies. Then it would be best if you did thorough research yourself. You are not independent of your needs until you can produce it yourself. It’s vital to know that this Summit is, therefore, seen promptly; hence, the 8-point Renew agenda of Mr President aligns with the Summit. When Mr President was inducted as Patron of the National Science Academy, he stated that every government policy and project would be subjected to scientific evaluations. Then, we can be sure that the outcome will last for the Nation.
AVM Jomo Osahon,Former Director General of the Defence Research Production Bureau, added his voice that there are many Military innovative activities that go unnoticed by the populace. He cited Instances of Lake Chad water that keep going down speedily, so people cannot navigate effectively on the water.
We met and discussed that we needed not just a flat boat but a unique boat that could go through marshy, mud or even shallow water, and I was tasked by the Air Chief Defence Staff to develop an Airboat innovation. It has been there, but the one we have is a unique one that would provide some level of protection for our soldiers and would also be a firepower that has never existed. We could design a boat in partnership with a company in Port-Harcourt to produce a prototype. The former President Buhari was excited to see it and commissioned us to produce 10 more. Let me tell you something unique that happened. At a military conference, some nations supporting us in the battle against insurgencies told us they learnt our Research and development department had produced an Airboat; they requested 100 pieces of them, or else they wouldn’t support us in battle anymore. This request falls on when the former President asked us to produce more. He asked for the time frame for production, and we told him soon; he approved and mobilised us with 50 per cent of the funds requested. So, innovations are happening in the country. Some of us must have heard of some aircraft bought by former president Goodluck Jonathan; those planes were not weaponised; we reached out to Germany, and those planes were Alfa jets, built by Germany and France. They requested 40 million Dollars for women’s evaluation alone. Some say it’s not possible to be weaponised. I travelled to Kainji with some of my engineering team and came up with the idea that we could do it. We developed a kind of Schematic drawing and computerised it so that when a particular bottom is pressed, you can imagine what the final outcome would be; we made a presentation to Air Marshall Sadiq Abubakar, who’s passionate about research and development in the Military, who he was so impressed and gave us go ahead. We bring the product out and comment somewhere like, this man, you have been given Vice Marshall already; what are you still looking for? Do you want to become the Chief or what?
The Germans said it was impossible, but you and your team have done it. As soon as we were mobilised, we had to come up with many models. They were tested and commissioned with only 5 Million Naira to weaponise the 4 Aircraft. Those Alfa-Jets are still flying today.
There are lots of scientific innovations going on and being achieved in the Military; it’s just that we don’t publish them due to policies.
…….GDP rose 4.43 per cent in Q2
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday assured Nigerians that his administration would intensify efforts to translate improving economic indicators into better living conditions. NigerianBusiness Directory
He declared that the economy is now on an “irreversible path” towards growth that households will feel at their dining tables and in their pockets.
The President said the Federal Government would, within the next few weeks, introduce measures targeted at vulnerable Nigerians, including cheaper means of transportation, increased food production and relief programmes designed to directly reach people at the grassroots.
Tinubu gave the assurances in his reaction to the latest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures released yesterday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The report shows that the Nigerian economy grew by 4.43 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, compared with 4.23 per cent recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2025. NigerianBusiness Directory
The President welcomed the figures as further evidence that the economic reforms undertaken by his administration since May 2023 were yielding results, according to a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.
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“Under our watch, the economy is on the irreversible path to experience even more growth that all homes will feel at the dining table and in their pockets. We are not resting on our oars.
“We are fully committed to translating consistent, stronger economic performance into better microeconomic outcomes for our citizens. We must stay vigilant by ensuring the sustainable progress we are recording remains irreversible,” Tinubu said.
According to the NBS report, growth was recorded across agriculture, manufacturing, oil and gas, and services, with the services sector maintaining its position as the largest contributor to aggregate GDP.
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In nominal terms, Nigeria’s aggregate GDP rose to N119.27 trillion in the second quarter, representing an 18.43 per cent increase from the N100.7 trillion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.
Tinubu said his administration had spent the past three years taking difficult decisions necessary to stabilise the economy.
“In the past three years, we tried to do the hard part by implementing the necessary reforms to stabilise the economy.
“Now the economy is stabilised, and we have laid the foundation for a prosperous nation. We didn’t do the reforms to create challenges, but to ensure prosperity reaches all our people,” he said.
The President said the latest growth figures were among a series of indicators showing that his Renewed Hope Agenda was working, pointing to improvements in the country’s external reserves, trade position, credit ratings, infrastructure development and oil and gas production.
“The results of the efforts are becoming very clear to all: The Renewed Hope Agenda is working. Because of those tough decisions, today Nigeria has trade surpluses. Our foreign reserves are at their highest in 17 years. Our credit rating has moved up several notches.
“We are building roads, railways and superhighways that will last for a long time. Investors who left are returning. Oil and gas production is increasing,” Tinubu said.
He also cited developments in the education sector as evidence of progress, saying Nigerian universities had enjoyed stability while the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) was expanding access to tertiary education.
“And in our universities, for the first time in a long time, there are no strikes. Our children are in class. And through NELFUND, student loans are putting education within reach, and affordable credit is going to our civil servants through Creditcorp,” he said.
The President said the next phase of the administration’s intervention would place greater emphasis on alleviating pressures confronting vulnerable Nigerians and ensuring that improving macroeconomic indicators translate into tangible benefits. NigerianBusiness Directory
“In the next few weeks, we are addressing some of the challenges being faced by our vulnerable population by providing cheaper means of transport, ramping up food production and implementing various relief programmes that will touch lives at the grassroots,” he said.
Tinubu also took a swipe at the opposition, saying the latest economic figures had come at a time when opposition elements were attempting to diminish the achievements of his administration and promising to reverse some of its reforms if elected.
He maintained that the policies undertaken since the beginning of his administration were not intended to impose hardship on Nigerians, but to correct structural weaknesses and create the foundation for sustainable prosperity. NigerianBusiness Directory
The President pledged that his administration would remain focused on consolidating the gains recorded so far.
Economy expands further on broad-based growth across sectors
The NBS report, which shows 4.43 per cent growth in the second quarter, indicates that the growth outperformed both the first quarter of 2026 and the corresponding second quarter of 2025.
The report highlighted a broad-based economic expansion driven by significant improvements in the agricultural segment, non-oil sector, services and sustained growth in the oil sector.
The agricultural sector almost doubled its performance, with a growth of 4.39 per cent in the second quarter of 2026 compared with 2.82 per cent in the corresponding period of 2025.
The non-oil sector, which accounted for about 96 per cent of the economy, grew by 67 basis points to 4.31 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, compared with 3.64 per cent recorded in the second quarter of 2025. Non-oil sector growth was 3.94 per cent in the first quarter of 2026.
Non-oil sector performance was driven by growth across various segments, including crop production, telecommunications, real estate, trade, financial institutions, cement manufacturing and construction, among others.
The oil sector grew by 7.31 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, higher than the 2.57 per cent recorded in the first quarter of 2026, but lower than the 20.46 per cent recorded in the second quarter of 2025.
The industrial sector also grew by 3.96 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, as against 7.46 per cent recorded in the comparative period of 2025.
Average daily crude oil production rose to 1.72 million barrels per day (mbpd) in the second quarter of 2026, outperforming both the preceding quarter and the comparable period of 2025.
Crude production in the second quarter of 2026 was the highest since 2022. Oil production stood at 1.68 mbpd in the second quarter of 2025 and 1.55 mbpd in the first quarter of 2026.
The oil sector thus contributed 4.16 per cent to total real GDP in the second quarter of 2026, a sustained improvement on the 4.05 per cent recorded in the corresponding period of 2025 and 3.92 per cent recorded in the first quarter of 2026.
In nominal terms, total GDP rose by 18.43 per cent from N100.73 trillion in the second quarter of 2025 to N119.29 trillion in the second quarter of 2026.
In terms of GDP share, the services sector remained the dominant driver, contributing 56.62 per cent to aggregate GDP in the second quarter of 2026, as against 56.53 per cent recorded in the comparable period of 2025.
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The non-oil sector contributed 95.84 per cent to aggregate real GDP in the second quarter of 2026, as against 95.95 per cent in the second quarter of 2025 and 96.08 per cent in the first quarter of 2026.
Experts were unanimous that the latest GDP report showed a positive outlook for the economy.
Analysts at SCM Capital stated that the second-quarter 2026 GDP report underlined improved macroeconomic conditions and broad-based policy support, which have continued to anchor economic performance.
They said the report showed broad-based resilience, with an uptick in oil output reflecting gradual operational improvements and sustained field activity across major production basins, alongside a non-oil sector gaining stronger momentum.
Analysts at Coronation Group and Cordros Capital Group stated that the GDP performance outpaced their expectations, noting that the economy had shown resilience and steady growth.
sustained economic resilience, with growth anchored by the services sector alongside gradual improvement across non-oil activities.
“The outturn affirms our broader expectation of a steady, non-oil-led growth trajectory through the rest of the year,” Coronation Group stated.
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Update : NRC Releases Preliminary Report on Warri-Itakpe Train Crash, Says Wheel Defect May Have Triggered Derailment
……NRC Suspects Wheel Defect, Rules Out Track Vandalism
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has released its preliminary report on the June 8, 2026 derailment involving the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS), revealing that a possible sudden bogie or wheel defect may have triggered the accident.
The incident occurred at about 4:17pm near the Outer Home signal of the Goodluck Jonathan Railway Station at kilometre 177, Owa-Oyibu, Agbor, Delta State.
According to the NRC, the train had departed Itakpe at 12 noon with 482 people on board, comprising 442 passengers and 40 operational personnel, when the derailment occurred.
Five coaches, one locomotive and a power car were affected, with three coaches and the power car overturning.
The Corporation said emergency response operations were immediately activated with support from the Delta State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), local authorities and medical teams.
All passengers were evacuated within two hours of the incident.
However, the accident resulted in four confirmed deaths — three adults and one child — while 64 people sustained various injuries.
The NRC said 28 injured passengers were treated and discharged at the Railway Hospital, Owa-Oyibu, while another 36 were transferred to hospitals in Owa-Oyibu, Owa-Alero and Agbor.
Most of those admitted were discharged within 72 hours, while three people, including an NRC employee who required surgery, remained under specialist medical care. Two of the affected persons subsequently underwent surgical procedures.
The Corporation also clarified that its initial report of five fatalities was later revised to four following verification with the Delta State medical team responsible for the deceased.
Possible wheel defect identified
The NRC said its internal investigation involved site inspections, evidence gathering, examination of operational records and communication data, technical assessments of the locomotive and rolling stock, as well as interviews with train crew, operations and maintenance personnel, witnesses and emergency responders.
The investigation also examined the track infrastructure, turnout arrangements, communication systems and the effectiveness of the emergency response and evacuation operations.
Based on the preliminary findings, the NRC said investigators identified the possible sudden development of a bogie/wheel defect while the train was in motion as a potential primary factor in the derailment.
According to the Corporation, such a defect could have resulted in abnormal wheel-rail interaction, excessive impact loading and loss of running stability.
The investigators also identified the possible manner in which the train’s brakes were applied as a factor that may have contributed to the severity of the accident.
However, the NRC stressed that both issues remain working hypotheses and that the definitive cause of the derailment would only be established after further technical analysis.
No evidence of track vandalism
The Corporation said its inquiry team found that the railway points at the accident location were intact and that there was no evidence of track vandalism.
This finding distinguishes the June 8 incident from two previous accidents involving the same Warri–Itakpe service on November 1 and November 8, 2025, which the NRC said were attributed to track vandalism.
The independent Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has also commenced its statutory investigation into the accident.
The NRC said it was cooperating fully with the NSIB and would be guided by the findings and recommendations contained in its final report.
NRC announces safety measures
Following the preliminary findings, the Corporation recommended comprehensive safety inspections and audits of rolling stock, railway tracks and infrastructure before equipment is returned to service.
It also called for stronger maintenance and condition-monitoring programmes, timely replacement of defective components and improved availability of critical spare parts.
The NRC further recommended a review of operational safety procedures, improved emergency preparedness and rescue capabilities, enhanced staff training and competency assessments, as well as sustainable funding for railway modernisation.
The Corporation also proposed improvements to its insurance and compensation framework to ensure adequate protection for passengers and staff in cases involving medical treatment, disability and fatalities.
WITS service yet to resume
The NRC said the affected track has been fully recovered and restored, while the locomotives involved have also been recovered and are currently undergoing reconditioning.
However, the Corporation said the Warri–Itakpe service would not resume until a detailed safety audit of the track and equipment has been completed.
The NRC expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the incident and apologised for the delay in releasing the preliminary report, explaining that additional time was required to properly verify the casualties and notify the affected families.
The Corporation said it remained committed to implementing recommendations arising from both its internal accident inquiry and the independent NSIB investigation, with the aim of strengthening railway safety and restoring public confidence in train transportation.
I’m
Veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, has died at 66.
His daughter, Kira Taiwo, confirmed his passing during an Instagram Live session on Sunday.
The news comes days after Kira and her sister, Lima Taiwo, made public appeals on Monday, August 17, 2026, for medical advice for their father, who was battling stage-four cancer.
Kira said doctors had stopped chemotherapy because of his condition, and the family was seeking alternative treatments, including specialised procedures and traditional remedies.
She clarified that the family was not asking for financial donations, but for information on possible treatment options.
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