The production of social science research in Nigeria: status and systemic determinants

Social science research (SSR) is crucial for addressing developmental challenges globally. Developing countries, disproportionately affected by such challenges, require robust domestic SSR capacity to inform contextually relevant policies and actions. Nigeria, Africa's largest country by population and GDP, presents a significant case study. Despite its large SSR system (nearly 200 universities and over 60,000 academic staff), its research output is disproportionately low compared to its size, particularly relative to South Africa. This study aims to understand why a large research system yields relatively little SSR and explores systemic factors affecting its volume and quality, focusing on research inputs (personnel, funding, time allocation) and the support system (institutions, policies, and research support services) within the framework of the Doing Research Assessment (DRA) Methodology.

Existing literature highlights various systemic factors that influence research production, including those related to inputs and support systems. This paper builds upon previous research on social science research in Africa and Nigeria, particularly studies examining the challenges and opportunities for knowledge production in African universities and exploring the problems of social research within Nigeria. However, this study goes beyond mere bibliometric analyses by incorporating qualitative data to examine the characteristics of the research system and their influence on SSR output.

The study employed a mixed-methods design combining desk research, bibliometric analysis, key informant interviews, and surveys. The desk review involved examining academic literature, reports, and grey literature. Due to the limited availability of secondary data on the Nigerian SSR system (particularly research expenditure and human capital), estimations were made using available data and key informant input (e.g., total number of academics in Nigerian universities from the National Universities Commission). Given the size and dispersion of the research system, a complete census was impractical. The study used data from the 2009 Survey of Research and Experimental Development (R&D), supplemented with data from Scimago (a freely available bibliographic database with broader coverage of developing countries) for bibliometric analysis (2015-2017), focusing on publication counts, citations, and open access. A survey of 805 individuals (85% response rate) from 130 selected organizations (universities, government agencies, private sector, and civil society) was conducted. Finally, 17 key informants were purposively selected for interviews to gain a deeper understanding of the research environment. The data analysis combined quantitative and qualitative methods to understand the relationship between system attributes and SSR output.

Nigeria's SSR production is considerable, making it the second-largest producer in Africa (2005-2009). Data from Scimago (2015-2017) showed 4085 publications, though this underestimates the actual output due to limitations in bibliographic databases. The survey revealed journal articles, conference proceedings, and book chapters as the most common publication types. Approximately 98% of publications were peer-reviewed, and open access publishing was prevalent (around 33.6% of publications). The number of social science researchers is estimated to be between 6389 and 31,943, with around 36% holding a PhD. However, most researchers dedicate less than 50% of their time to research due to a poor organizational climate, including heavy teaching loads and administrative burdens. Research funding is inadequate, with only 0.2% of GDP allocated to GERD in 2009. The majority of funding comes from foreign sources, often with research agendas that are not fully aligned with local needs. There is a lack of central coordination of SSR, with no dedicated national institution or policy framework. Administrative support services in research institutions are deficient, as indicated by low researcher satisfaction levels, particularly concerning time/stress management and recruitment.

The findings suggest that while Nigeria's SSR output is substantial, its potential is hampered by low research inputs (inadequate funding and time constraints) and a weak research support system (lack of central coordination and poor administrative support). The heavy reliance on foreign funding, though beneficial, ties research agendas to external priorities, often reducing local relevance. The limited time researchers dedicate to research because of teaching and administrative burdens further diminishes the overall impact. The lack of a central coordinating body leads to inefficiencies and resource duplication. These factors combine to explain the disparity between Nigeria's large research system and relatively low research output compared to countries like South Africa.

This study highlights the critical need for improved SSR coordination in Nigeria through the establishment of a national research foundation or council and the development of a national policy. Furthermore, a localized bibliographic database and a national journal accreditation system are needed to enhance the quality and visibility of Nigerian SSR. Finally, creating a supportive research environment through increased funding, optimized workload management, and improved administrative support is crucial for boosting SSR productivity. Future research could investigate the impact of specific policy interventions aimed at addressing these issues.

The study's estimations of researcher numbers and funding levels are subject to limitations due to data scarcity and the challenges of comprehensively mapping Nigeria's dispersed research system. The reliance on self-reported data in the survey and interviews could introduce potential biases. The time frame of the bibliometric analysis (2015-2017) limits the ability to assess long-term trends. Future research using more comprehensive data would strengthen these findings.