BRIDGING RESEARCH AND POLICY IN NIGERIA: ROLE OF THINK TANKS AND POLICY INSTITUTES
Agbor, Olubunmi Sandra, PhD
Volume 12 Issue 1
Abstract
In Nigeria, the disconnection between research outputs and policymaking has contributed significantly to weak governance, poor service delivery, and suboptimal development outcomes. Despite the abundance of academic and policy research, the translation of empirical findings into actionable policies remains limited. Think tanks and policy institutes serve as intermediaries between knowledge production and policy implementation. This paper explores the roles of these institutions in enhancing evidence-based policymaking in Nigeria, highlighting their functions, challenges, and contributions. The study seeks to examine how think tanks bridge the gap between research and policy through knowledge dissemination, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building for policymakers. Employing qualitative content analysis, the study reviews existing literature and uses case studies such as the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA), and Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) to illustrate impact. Findings reveal that while think tanks have made significant inroads in influencing public policy through advocacy, roundtables, and policy briefs, they face challenges such as political interference, limited funding, and capacity constraints. The paper underscores the need for institutional support, autonomy, and strategic partnerships to strengthen the role of think tanks in Nigeria’s policy landscape. The study concludes with policy recommendations that can enhance collaboration between academia, think tanks, and government institutions, thereby improving evidence-based governance and sustainable development in Nigeria. Keywords: Think tanks, policymaking, research-policy nexus, policy institutes, Nigeria.
Download Paper