Poor Funding Remains The Major Challenge Of ‘Think Tanks’ In Nigeria – Prof. Ufodike

Uzodike who spoke in Enugu during a one day seminar organized by the institution with the theme “The Future of Think-tanks and Policy Advice” said that the issue of poor funding has brought about lack of better service delivery by think tanks in the country.

Describing them as game changers, he explained that think-tanks make nations great and that is more reason why the Nigerian government and private organizations need to start providing them with funds so they can carry out researches on critical national issues.

“Think-tanks are driving development in other parts of the world and that is because they usually receive the kind of support they need to undertake researches across different fields and aspects of live” he said.

On his part, Callistus Ekenze, a former head of service, Imo State, who was one of the discussants at the seminer, said that there is the need for think-tanks themselves to start thinking of how best to deal with the challenge of poor funding.

“We have to prove to the country that we are important as research institution and that they have to depend on us for policy formulation. We can think of how to articulate legislations that will make it necessary for the government to seek our expertise before they take any decision” he said.

He stressed that they are needed in every sector of the society, particularly, in the country’s education system that has continued to lag behind in terms of international best practices.

“Our education system is no longer what it used to be. We need researches by think tanks to understand what exactly is wrong with that sector because if we address the problem with our education, every other problem will be addressed” he said.

Also speaking during the seminer, Dr. Chiwuike Uba, chairman, board of Directors, Amaka Chiwuike Uba Foundation said that think tanks ought to play both advisory and advocacy role.

He explained that while in their advisory role, they provide the government and other institutions that cater to the needs of the citizens with relevant information, using credible research, they push for change in their advocacy roles.

He however regretted that because think tanks in Nigeria do not want to be seen as opposing the government, they back out on projects on when they don’t get the desired results.

“Think tanks must learn to be innovative and competitive and also try to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the desired change is achieved” he said.