Epistemic Justice, African Indigenous Knowledge, and the Reform of Development Policy Research Methodologies in Nigeria

This study makes an original theoretical and methodological contribution to development policy research in Nigeria by applying epistemic justice theory to critique the marginalisation of African indigenous knowledge systems in policy research paradigms, and by proposing a reformed indigenous-inclusive research methodology. Development policy research in Nigeria has been predominantly conducted using frameworks and methods derived from Western epistemological traditions, systematically disadvantaging indigenous explanatory frameworks, local governance knowledge, and community-based problem-solving repertoires. Drawing on epistemic justice theory, decolonial methodology, and recent African epistemology literature from 2019 to 2024, the study employs a meta-theoretical qualitative research design. A systematic methodological review of 350 peer-reviewed Nigerian development policy studies published between 2005 and 2024 is conducted, analysing their epistemological foundations, data sources, research team composition, and knowledge validation procedures. In-depth interviews are conducted with 65 Nigerian and international development researchers, indigenous knowledge holders, and academic journal editors. Critical discourse analysis, reflexive methodology critique, and co-production theory are applied. The study's theoretical contribution is the Epistemic Plurality Development Research Framework, which establishes four design principles for indigenous-inclusive policy research: knowledge system parity, community co-epistemology, validation pluralism, and reflexive positionality. This framework constitutes an original contribution to decolonial methodology and epistemic justice theory applied to policy research contexts. Findings challenge current research practice norms and provide a reformist agenda for Nigerian academic institutions, research councils, and development policy research funding bodies. Keywords: epistemic justice, indigenous knowledge, decolonial methodology, development research, Nigeria