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The Department of Research.
The Research Department is headed by a Director who is assisted by a team of research fellows in carefully chosen disciplines. The department is required, in
accordance with the National Institute Decree, to carry out policy-oriented research "into the social, economic, security, scientific, cultural and other problems facing the country" and to "present in usable forms, the
available options for their solutions" to government. Thus, the research activities of the department straddle virtually all the fields covered by universities and other research establishments in the country. The
distinctive focus of its task, however, is on national well-being, self-reliance and security. Underlying the research endeavour on any issue is the concern for the survival, viability and well-being of the nation as an
entity.
The Institute's research work is both long-range and short-ranged in character. Under long-range, the National Institute concerns itself with inquiry into broad strategic areas of national life, with a
view to articulating options for the nation's development, in relevant areas, in the period of five to ten or more years. Its short-range research, on the other hand, focuses on the critical analyses of current national
issues, with a view to proposing policy options for those charged with the responsibility of formulating and implementing programmes or responding to crisis situations.
Issues of public interest are discussed at
the highest level with input from expertise within the academia as well as the public and private sectors. In this regard, Federal and State governments and others public agencies make available to the Research
Department vital documents and data, which are needed in the many crucial areas of national endeavours. In addition, this information can gradually be accumulated on the Institute's data bank.
The foregoing
research functions have been organised within a framework of Units, all operating under the Director of Research. The following Units are being operated:
Foreign Affairs Unit
Defence and Security Studies Unit
Economic and Planning Unit
Political Studies Unit
Social Studies Unit
Science and Technology Unit
Each unit is headed by a senior fellow who is assisted by
Fellows and Junior Fellows. There is also one Defence Fellow who is usually seconded from the armed forces. In addition to the normal tasks within their units, the research staffs conduct individual projects often with
the co-operation of participants from outside the National Institute. The Department also finances research projects by other researches outside the Institute on the basis of proposals, which have been vetted and
approved by the appropriate body within the National Institute. The modest research grants to Nigerians outside the National Institute are directed towards researchers with recognised expertise and competence. The
intention is, in time, to create a network of researchers all over the country who can provide constant support to the National Institute in carrying out crucial projects, which its small core staffs are not in a
portion to undertake, alone. Nigerians who lead projects with this arrangement are accorded the status of Associate Fellows.
Under the scheme of Distinguished Fellowships, retired Nigerians who have distinguished
themselves in public and private service in any area of national life can be invited to come to the National Institute for short periods to reflect, interact and, use the Institute's facilities to write their memoirs.
In addition, each year, under the National Institute Distinguished Annual Lectures series, a distinguished citizen delivers a key lecture at the National Institute.
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