Problems and Prospects of Research in Nigeria

The word, research is a familiar word to most of us who are educated, because in the cause of education or in the pursuit of education, they might have come across one of the courses that have to do with research findings.

Students in the tertiary institutions are asked to write or do research in respect to their areas of study at the end of their programme in the Universities or Polytechnics.

Therefore, right from when we were in school, up till now, some of us are in civil service, while others are in private organizations, the idea and the important of education never change.

However, one can still ask, why research? What is the significance of research to life and in both the private and public sector? Why then is so much attention and emphasis on the subject of research?

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Definition of research

Research is a process of seeking for facts and information from materials and sources, as well as analyzing and studying this information in order to reach a conclusion with new acceptable facts.

So what we do in research is to search for information, new facts and new solutions to problems, and answers to questions. In other words, research is a method of gaining new knowledge.

No man has a monopoly of knowledge, no one knows it all. In every human endeavour, man is limited in knowledge; take for instance, Nigeria, and even the world over, are in recession, everybody is affected by the scourge of economic crunch, and questions seeking for answers are coming from every angle, Nigeria, for instance, is devising means of coming out of recession.

Almost all the sectors of Nigerian economy are trapped by economic downturn, so even professionals from different professions are looking for ways of solving this problem, and someone has said that the only way out is to go into research. Vigorous research is the way out. There are a good number of problem in this country, where solutions have not been proffered to.

In agriculture, commerce, education, science and technology, women and youths development, finance, investment among other areas, there are problems whereby, people are asking for a way forward. So what is the purpose of research then? It is a procedure of finding answers to these problems, and must be systematic and the study and the investigation must be scientific.

Another scenario is an instance, where organization managers become stuck on what decision to make to move the organization forward or meet the goal of the organization, but through research, he can as a matter of important engage in some aspects of research in order to gather relevant information that can further improve or make his decision a sound decision. So as I said, research is very crucial in sound decision making effort.

The aim of every research is to find answer to problems bothering men and their institutions. Through research, one can go beyond the boundary of knowledge, such facts that have not been found since creation.

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 Prospects of research in Nigeria

1. Update and improve knowledge

Research is a way of studying. When an individual or organization research or study anything that is bothering them extensively, such careful study can lead to deep knowledge about what they are searching or researching for.

Since the aim of every research is to successfully attain to the solution of a problem, the process is systematic. Research provides information to the academia, University scholars, government officials, who are willing to give time, energy, resources extensively in studying and finding solutions to their problems.

2. Enhances creativity

Research can enhance creativity, when you do it carefully and extensively, because it helps to explore on the available knowledge. Knowledge they say, is power.

In the Holy writ, it is stated that men perished because they lack knowledge, so nobody goes beyond the knowledge at his disposal, which is why investment in knowledge is very crucial and important.

By investing in knowledge through research, you are gradually becoming creative, as you are exposed to some sort of knowledge that was perhaps hidden, that was not found yet by researchers. Research expands the horizon of knowledge.

3. Information accessibility

Through research, all the necessary information that can help proffer solutions to problems is accessible. Research make available the information you are seeking in every field of study and human endeavour, because whatsoever a man seeks that same thing will he find, that is why any successful human endeavour must first go into research to ascertain the ‘know-how’ to the adventure he is about to embark on.

Whether it is in government, business or church ministry, necessary information is required for the operation of that endeavour. It will give the basic ideals and ideas, and as well tell what to do to succeed. This is the significant of research.

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Problems of research in Nigeria

1. Lack of funds

Lack of funds has been one of the challenges facing research findings in Nigeria. As a result of lack of funds, many have been discouraged from carrying out research work, from government departments to private organizations, even up to individual persons, which perhaps, could have helped proffer solutions to Nigeria’s political and socio-economic problems.

2. Lack of education / illiteracy

Lack of education is one of the problems that have hampered research findings in Nigeria. The value of research is not appreciated by business executives and government departments.

3. Lack of information

Inadequate information has also hampered research work in Nigeria. No researcher can actually succeeds with research findings when the information available is scanty. It all boils down to quality of information availability, since much finding cannot be done at the event of inadequate information.

4. Lack of statistics

Lack of adequate statistics hampered research findings effectiveness, since the researcher has no materials or source to draw information from for the study and analyses lest alone to draw general conclusions from such research findings.

Conclusion and Suggestion

Funding of research work will encourage many to engage in research finding to better our society. This is one of the most important aspects that will help throw door of research finding open both in private and public sectors of the economy.

Through proper funding of research work, university scholars will be encouraged to help research a way forward to Nigeria’s development.

Moreso, we are living in technology age, and Nigerians will be willing to engage in research findings as a way of searching for possible means of coming out of the current recession problem, if the necessary technology facilities are made available, and research findings based on key information and communication technology (ICT) will be possible too.

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