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

Author

Listed:
  • Abiodun Egbetokun

    (National Centre for Technology Management)

  • Adedayo Olofinyehun

    (National Centre for Technology Management)

  • Maruf Sanni

    (National Centre for Technology Management)

  • Aderonke Ayo-Lawal

    (National Centre for Technology Management)

  • Omolayo Oluwatope

    (National Centre for Technology Management)

  • Utieyineshola Yusuff

    (National Centre for Technology Management)

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

Suggested Citation

  • Abiodun Egbetokun & Adedayo Olofinyehun & Maruf Sanni & Aderonke Ayo-Lawal & Omolayo Oluwatope & Utieyineshola Yusuff, 2022. "The production of social science research in Nigeria: status and systemic determinants," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:9:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-021-01017-z
    DOI: 10.1057/s41599-021-01017-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hetan Shah, 2020. "Global problems need social science," Nature, Nature, vol. 577(7790), pages 295-295, January.
    2. Hugo Confraria & Manuel Mira Godinho, 2015. "The impact of African science: a bibliometric analysis," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 102(2), pages 1241-1268, February.
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