Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Paragraph: 31
The UK Government, through the merger of DFID and the FCO, aims to use Official...
Recommendation
The UK Government, through the merger of DFID and the FCO, aims to use Official Development Assistance (ODA) more effectively to contribute toward wider foreign policy goals. This aim has been undermined by the cuts to research and Lagos calling: Nigeria and the Integrated Review 39 training programmes in the science and technology sectors, which are ultimately detrimental to both the UK and Nigeria. We recommend that the Government sets out a clear and coherent approach (including how it will be funded) to its partnership with Nigeria on research and training for science and technology in the integrated delivery plan.
Paragraph Reference:
31
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
We partially agree with this recommendation. As per our earlier response, the FCDO does not plan to publish an ‘integrated delivery plan’ at this time. However, our science and technology approach is, and will continue to be, reflected within our internal strategic planning documents. This approach includes the UK Government putting significant resources (£30m) into supporting multilevel interventions targeting stakeholders at the micro and macro levels in Nigeria to strengthen the country’s research and technology landscape in a sustainable and equitable way. Micro level interventions aim to strengthen the capability and capacity of the Nigerian population to innovate creative technologies that help deliver priority development outcomes. Our partnerships will be strategic, collaborating constructively with Nigerian stakeholders to identify and deliver impactful investments. At a macro level, we collaborate with Government Departments to improve policy and regulatory frameworks that facilitate better administration of research councils on the one hand and inspire greater technological innovation and commercialisation on the other. The Evidence Fund, a specific 5-year programme designed to service demand responsive research and evidence needs across geographic Research and Innovation Hubs, also contributes towards delivering data and evidence as well as strengthening UK-Nigeria Science partnerships. We have also recently supported the Nigeria Start-up Bill, which aims to harness the potential of the country’s digital economy through co-created regulations, which will improve the policy and regulatory framework to support growth and competitiveness in Nigeria’s Technology Ecosystem. The Bill will also ensure that Nigeria’s laws and regulations for start-ups are clear and work for the ecosystem. The UK Government supported funding of engagement with relevant stakeholders across the country through town hall meetings and provided access to research and evidence to harness the existing opportunities for start-ups and address the challenges in the current policy and regulatory framework. This initiative has been endorsed by the office of the Vice President.