Tinubu Transmits Research Fund, Medical College Amendment Bills To National Assembly

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has transmitted two bills to the National Assembly seeking legislative action on the establishment of a National Research Development Fund and amendments to the National Postgraduate Medical College Act.

The bills were contained in separate presidential correspondence transmitted to the National Assembly and addressed to the leadership of the chambers.

The National Research Development Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2026, seeks to consolidate fragmented research and development funding across ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) into a central funding mechanism.
According to President Tinubu, the proposed fund is intended to promote the efficient utilisation of resources and provide a central platform through which research agencies and academic institutions can access funding.

He said the National Research Development Fund would operate as a competitive funding mechanism designed to foster collaboration among research agencies, academic institutions and the private sector.

The proposed fund is also expected to support innovation, align resource allocation with strategic national priorities, strengthen transparency in funding decisions and promote the commercialisation of indigenous technologies.

Under the proposed legislation, the National Research Development Fund would be established as an agency under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, with direct funding from the Nigeria Content Development Fund.

Tinubu said the legislation was necessary because of the proliferation of research institutes and agencies operating in Nigeria’s research, development and commercialisation space, with separate mandates and budgetary allocations.

He said the proposed framework would facilitate more effective management of the limited financial resources available to research institutes and agencies while strengthening the development of science, technology and innovation in Nigeria.

The President said the Bill had been reviewed by relevant stakeholders, including the Ministries of Education, Innovation, Science and Technology, and Justice.

The second legislation, the National Postgraduate Medical College (Amendment) Bill, 2026, seeks to amend the existing law governing the institution.

According to Tinubu, the proposed amendment would, among other things, reflect a change in the college’s institutional name and expand its mandate to include the award of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in Clinical Medicine, Dentistry, and related fields.

The President said the Federal Ministry of Justice had vetted and finalised the Bill in line with legislative drafting standards and constitutional provisions.

Tinubu urged the National Assembly to consider the two bills and facilitate their passage into law.

The bills will now undergo the requisite legislative processes, including consideration by relevant committees and deliberations in both chambers of the National Assembly, before final enactment.