Lagos, Nigeria — The Retail Development and Investment Company (RDIC Africa) has unveiled Nigeria’s first indigenous private sector-driven research repository, alongside a N25 million prize fund aimed at promoting innovation and boosting the utilisation of locally generated research.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos on Tuesday, RDIC Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ejimofor Akah, said the initiative—tagged the Iwemi National Academic Research Innovation Challenge—is designed to drive economic growth by bridging the gap between academic research and industry application.
Akah explained that the project, facilitated by Wema Bank, would focus on 10 key sectors, including fintech, agriculture, healthcare, economic diversification, and SME development.
He disclosed that a N25 million prize pool had been set aside for the top 10 research submissions in 2026, noting that the reward package is expected to increase in subsequent editions.
“We are proud to launch Nigeria’s first indigenous, private sector-driven research repository database, designed to elevate the country’s global standing in research and innovation,” Akah said.
According to him, the online portal opened for submissions on June 1, allowing students, graduates, and researchers to upload their work for global visibility.
“If you have a research paper that can impact the Nigerian economy, simply visit the portal and upload it. Within about 15 minutes, your work can become visible to the world,” he added.
Akah revealed that the platform had already attracted users from countries such as China, India, and the United Kingdom, adding that indexing on major search platforms would further enhance accessibility and discovery of hosted research materials.
He noted that contributors would benefit from global exposure, potential royalty earnings, career opportunities, and unrestricted access to their work. He also encouraged owners of older research projects to submit hard copies for digitisation.
“Many valuable research works are hidden in cupboards and libraries. We want to bring them into the public space,” he said, urging government agencies and stakeholders to support the initiative.
In his remarks, the University of Lagos Librarian, Prof. Olatokunbo Okiki, emphasised the importance of originality in research, describing it as the foundation of knowledge advancement.
“Originality is the defining feature of quality research and a key criterion in assessing academic theses. Every thesis must answer one critical question—what is its contribution to knowledge?” he said.
Okiki lamented that thousands of research projects produced annually in Nigerian tertiary institutions remain unused, describing the trend as a waste of intellectual resources that could drive innovation and policymaking.
He commended the Iwemi initiative, noting that improved visibility and accessibility could transform neglected research into development opportunities.
Also speaking, Prof. John Foloju of the University of Lagos highlighted the need for stronger collaboration between academia and industry, stressing that many research outputs fail to achieve economic or social impact due to weak linkages.
“The challenge is that research institutions and industries often do not speak the same language. Strong partnerships are needed to translate research into practical solutions,” he said.
Foloju added that meaningful development requires research to move beyond academic shelves into products, services, and innovations that create jobs and strengthen the economy.
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In his contribution, Iwemi Project Executive Director, Mr. Iheukwumere Amadi, called for support from institutions, corporate organisations, and education-focused foundations to sustain the initiative.
He noted that increased collaboration and funding would help reshape Nigeria’s research ecosystem, promoting job creation, wealth generation, and broader economic development. :::
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