Are the Sticky Issues in Nigeria's Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Ecosystem Really Sticky? Case of Sankore's Submission

Abstract

Nigeria's Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) policies require a critical analysis of their evolution and implementation, with a focus on recurrent sticky issues and trajectory restructuring. Following the launch of the first National Science Technology and Innovation Policy (NSTIP) in 1986, subsequent reviews for 1997, 2003, 2012, and 2022 policies have aimed to improve national innovation potential, diversify the economy, and harmonise with global frameworks such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union's Agenda 2063. Were these policies well implemented? But what are the sticky issues militating against the adoption and implementation of the most needed NSTIP to the benefit of Nigeria? Can we prioritise the stick issues based on their merits? This policy insight draws the attention of role players in the STI ecosystem to the key issues, ranked in order of priority by key role players during the Sankore Project, Nigeria High-Level STI Ecosystem Validation Workshop. This policy insight embraced a qualitative methodology, drawing on documentary analysis of national policy instruments and comparative case studies, complemented by stakeholder perspectives generated through brainstorming sessions during the Sankore project consultations. This approach enabled the identification of five "sticky issues": weak industry-academia linkages, inadequate innovation funding, policy implementation gaps, fragmented Governance, and talent flight, which continue to constrain Nigeria's STI ecosystem. The paper argues that, at the top of the sticky issues, is the NSTIP policy implementation driven by industry-academia linkages. The policy insight submitted that Nigeria must leverage the Quadruple Helix model to navigate the "sticky issues".