Research Support and Open Access: Notes from Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines the research environment in Nigeria in relation to the developing trends in the global research community and specifically regarding research funding by government as a viable way of ensuring access to research result. The paper is devoted to examining the support available for research and researchers and exploring the concept of open access to research articles by scholars in Nigerian institutions. Also, the paper examined the level of mobile device and Internet penetration in Nigeria. Using the conceptual approach, the paper started with a brief background and proceeded to examine research support in Nigeria. The remaining sections are on the World Wide Web and information sharing, Internet access in Nigeria, open access scholarly publications, and suggestions and conclusions, which synthesised the thoughts in the preceding sections. This paper argued that the current rate of mobile device and Internet penetration can only be seen as a benefit if access to scholarly work is freely available to all. The paper concluded on the need for increased funding for research by the Nigerian government as well as both for-profit and not-for-profit organisations within the country as a way to achieving any developmental objectives set by the government.