Abstract:

Labelled “giant of Africa” in the 1970’s on account of its promising human and natural resources, Nigeria entered in the early 1980’s in an unprecedented period of recession following the domination of corruption over government operations, the fall of the oil market price, and the introduction of a structural adjustment programme in 1986. Despite its potential wealth, Nigeria is ranked today as part of the world’s 30 least developed countries.
This context has of course severely affected institutions of higher learning and the scientific community through the twin effects of the deterioration of the working conditions and that of the purchasing power of academic staff. However, our study, based on visits in 9 of the most prestigious research institutions and interviews with 45 scientists in their working environment, reveals that, contrary to all expectations, research has not died. It has rather been transformed, in various ways, along the survival strategies evolved by scientists and the needs of the international community.

Full text available as: Microsoft Word

Lebeau, Yann (2003). Extraversion strategies within a peripheral research community. Nigerian scientists’ responses to state inconsistency and changing patterns in international science and development co-operation, Science and Technology 8( 2 ):185-213