Olusegun Obasanjo, president of Nigeria

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The next Nigerian president will inherit a firm agenda for science and technology with which to tackle poverty, disease and corruption, says this Nature editorial.

The incumbent president, Olusegun Obasanjo, will be leaving office after two terms to return to academia. His presidency has been characterised by attempts to integrate science into development.

His reforms include creating a National Council for Research and Development, as well as separate research councils to provide funding in key areas such as agriculture and energy and establishing new research centres.

Obasanjo's largest project — the allocation of US$5 billion of oil revenues to research grants, education and infrastructure — will protect Nigeria's scientists against future budget cuts.

All competing parties in the upcoming election seem committed to the current science agenda, says the editorial. And they will be better able to meet Nigeria's development challenges because of Obasanjo's prior investment in education and research.

Link to full article in Nature