A decade of nanotechnology research in Nigeria (2010–2020): a scientometric analysis

A decade of nanotechnology research in Nigeria (2010–2020): a scientometric analysis

In this study, we present findings on the engagement of Nigerian scholars in nanotechnology research between 2010 and 2020 using primary data that were obtained from Scopus. The data were processed to unravel the productivity of the top scholars in relation to the top counterparts in Egypt and South...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of nanoparticle research : an interdisciplinary forum for nanoscale science and technology Vol. 23; no. 9
Main Authors: Lateef, A., Azeez, M. A., Suaibu, O. B., Adigun, G. O.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01-09-2021
Springer Nature B.V
Subjects:
Astronomy
Characterization and Evaluation of Materials
Chemistry and Materials Science
Cluster analysis
Clustering
Collaboration
Documents
Funding
Inorganic Chemistry
Lasers
Materials Science
Nanoparticles
Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology Convergence in Africa
Optical Devices
Optics
Performance enhancement
Performance evaluation
Photonics
Physical Chemistry
Research Paper
Scientometrics
Webometrics
South Africa
Nigeria
Egypt
Africa
Productivity
Policy
Scientometrics
Funding
STI
SDGs
Nigeria
Developing nations
Nanotechnology
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Summary:In this study, we present findings on the engagement of Nigerian scholars in nanotechnology research between 2010 and 2020 using primary data that were obtained from Scopus. The data were processed to unravel the productivity of the top scholars in relation to the top counterparts in Egypt and South Africa, Africa and the world in the field of nanotechnology. Similarly, the contributions of different universities were analyzed, while we also studied the extent of collaboration, funding pattern of nanotechnology research, outlet of publications of articles, and the influence of webometric ranking among others. The data were analyzed using Euclidean dissimilarity coefficients with hierarchical cluster analysis, and corresponding dendrograms of relationships were plotted. The results showed that although Nigeria is the fourth nation in nanotechnology research in Africa, her performance is low compared to Egypt and South Africa, as the nation recorded only 645 articles during the period, representing 11.85 and 24.84% of the output of Egypt and South Africa, respectively. Using hierarchical clustering techniques, the top researchers in Nigeria were identified (Ezema, FI, UNN and Lateef, A, LAUTECH) that contributed 12.09% of the publications, while engineering, physics/astronomy, and materials science dominated the range of publications. South Africa and Malaysia clustered as the most collaborative nation with Nigeria on nanotechnology (51.10%). The most productive universities in nanotechnology were UNN, COVENANT, and LAUTECH by contributing 33.12% of the publications, while other institutions were not significantly different in their low productivities. The national funding of nanotechnology research was low with just 6.51% of the works funded through local initiatives, and 52.44% of the works not supported by any fund. The remaining 41.05% received funds from foreign institutions. The outcome of this study is a performance evaluation of Nigeria in nanotechnology R&D that requires concerted efforts by the critical stakeholders to mobilize actions for the country to realize her full potentials in the field. Suggestions have been made on how to improve the performance of the country towards 2030. This pioneering effort at situating the Nigeria’s status in nanotechnology will be of assistance to the educationists, technocrats, and policy makers in making right decisions on the way forward for Nigeria.
ISSN:1388-0764
1572-896X
DOI:10.1007/s11051-021-05322-1