The production of social science research in Nigeria: status and systemic determinants

• DOI: 10.1057/s41599-021-01017-z
• Publication Date: 2022-01-06T11:02:58Z
• Authors: Abiodun Egbetokun; Adedayo Olofinyehun; Maruf Sanni; Aderonke Ayo-Lawal; Omolayo Oluwatope; Utieyineshola Yusuff
• Keywords: Mandate; Social Research; Research center; Institution

Abstract Nigeria has a very large research system, with nearly 200 universities that employed more than 60,000 academic staff at the end of 2019. The country is also one Africa’s largest producers scientific across all disciplines, surpassed only by South Africa and Egypt. In social sciences, in particular, second-largest producer published research, after Africa. However, country’s science (SSR) production does not match size its SSR system. Using mixed methods, we come up two important reasons for this: (i) inputs are low, mainly because poorly funded researchers devote too little time to as result poor organisational climate, (ii) support system weak. No single institution currently clear mandate centrally coordinate Nigeria. Consequently, efforts often duplicated limited resources spread thin. Moreover, logistical missing or inefficient most organisations. Therefore, improving productivity would require much stronger coordination wide-ranging improvements climate.