“The Revolution Is On” — Prof. Gomez Hails NRIF Launch as Turning Point for National Development

By Seedy Jobe

The Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology, Prof. Pierre Gomez, on Monday described the launch of the National Research and Innovation Fund (NRIF) as a historic milestone, declaring that The Gambia has moved “from dreaming to action” in its pursuit of a knowledge-driven economy.

Speaking at the official launch of the Fund, Prof. Gomez said the establishment of NRIF marks a significant step in strengthening the country’s research and innovation ecosystem and creating a sustainable framework for national development.

He noted that while The Gambia is rich in talent and innovative potential, meaningful progress depends on institutions capable of supporting, financing, and transforming ideas into practical solutions.

According to him, global experience has shown that development is not determined by the availability of ideas alone, but by the existence of institutions designed to identify, test, fund, and implement those ideas.

“Today, the Gambia takes its place among the nations that have answered the question with an institution of their own. The National Research and Innovation Fund, NRIF, the revolution is on,” Prof. Gomez declared.

The minister recalled the skepticism that greeted the proposal to establish the fund two years ago, saying many doubted such an initiative could become a reality.

“When we mentioned it some two years ago, people thought that we were dreaming. That is not possible because it never happened in The Gambia; therefore, it’s not possible. We are Gambians, so nothing is impossible. That’s the reason why we went to school. We did not go to school to be told that it’s impossible. We did not go to school to accept the status quo,” he said.

Prof. Gomez stressed that education should empower citizens to challenge limitations rather than accept them, adding that the creation of NRIF reflects the country’s determination to take charge of its own development agenda.

He linked the fund to The Gambia’s broader national aspirations, emphasizing the need to move beyond research and theory toward practical solutions that directly improve lives.

“We need to move from theory to practice. We don’t have that time to waste. There is an urgency for development, an urgency to develop,” he said.

The minister explained that NRIF was established under the NRIF Act 2025 as a semi-autonomous institution under the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology. Its mandate includes financing research and innovation, strengthening the capacity of researchers and institutions, and ensuring that research activities align with national development priorities.

“In essence, NRIF is the technical arm of the ministry responsible for funding research and innovation in this country,” Prof. Gomez said.

He expressed confidence that the Fund would play a pivotal role in unlocking the country’s intellectual potential and accelerating national transformation through science, research, and innovation.