President Bola Tinubu has transmitted two bills to the House of Representatives seeking to establish a National Research Development Fund to streamline research financing in Nigeria and amend the National Postgraduate Medical College law.

The two bills were presented via two separate letters dated August 24, 2026 and addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, on Tuesday in Abuja.

In the first letter, entitled “Transmission of National Postgraduate Medical College (Amendment) Bill, 2026 for Passage into Law,” Mr Tinubu asked the House to consider the proposed amendment to the law governing the institution.

According to the president, the bill seeks to reflect the change in the institution’s name and expand its mandate to include awarding Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in clinical medicine and dentistry.

He said the Federal Ministry of Justice had vetted and finalised the bill in accordance with drafting standards and constitutional provisions.

Mr Tinubu urged the House to consider and pass the bill into law, saying it was being forwarded to the National Assembly for legislative action.

In the second letter, entitled “Transmission of National Research Development Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2026 for Passage into Law,” the President said the proposed legislation aimed to consolidate research financing and ensure more efficient utilisation of resources.

He explained that the bill seeks to bring fragmented research and development funds across ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) under a central National Research Development Fund.

According to the president, it will serve as a mechanism for research agencies and academic institutions to access funding.

Mr Tinubu said that the proposed fund would operate as a competitive central funding mechanism designed to promote collaboration among research agencies, academic institutions and the private sector.

He explained the initiative would also support innovation, improve the allocation of research resources in line with national priorities, promote transparency in funding decisions and facilitate the commercialisation of locally developed technologies.

The president further proposed establishing the National Research Development Fund as an agency under the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, with direct funding from the Nigeria Content Development Fund (NCDF).

He said the proposed legislation was necessary against the backdrop of the proliferation of research institutes and agencies operating in Nigeria’s research, development and commercialisation space, with each currently operating under separate mandates and budgets.

Mr Tinubu said the proposed central funding mechanism would enable more effective management of limited financial resources available to research institutes and agencies.

He said that the bill had been reviewed by relevant stakeholders, including the Ministries of Education, Innovation, Science and Technology and Justice, to ensure alignment with national education objectives, scientific innovation priorities and existing legal and institutional frameworks.

“Both bills were subsequently forwarded to the House of Representatives for legislative consideration and action”, he said. 

(NAN)