Jane Salihu
Nigeria’s quest for innovative solutions to pressing national challenges has received a significant boost with the approval of N7.5 billion in research funding by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for 174 research teams across tertiary institutions nationwide.
The funding, released under the 2025 National Research Fund (NRF) Grant Cycle, is expected to drive groundbreaking studies in strategic sectors critical to the country’s socio-economic development.
Speaking at a news briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Executive Secretary of TETFund, Architect Sonny Echono, disclosed that the successful projects emerged after a painstaking selection process that involved the review of concept notes, evaluation of detailed proposals and oral presentations before the National Research Fund Screening and Monitoring Committee.
According to him, the approved grants range from N13.7 million to N49.98 million per project, reflecting the Fund’s commitment to supporting quality research capable of generating practical solutions to national issues.
The research projects cover a broad spectrum of priority areas, including food production, healthcare delivery, renewable energy, science and technology, environmental sustainability, blue economy, national security, defence innovation, education, social inclusion and human capital development.
Echono explained that the National Research Fund remains one of TETFund’s key interventions aimed at promoting impactful research and encouraging academics to contribute directly to national development through evidence-based solutions.
Among the institutions that recorded the highest number of successful applications, the Federal University of Technology, Minna led the pack with 18 grants. It was followed by the Federal University of Technology, Owerri with 11 grants, while Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria secured 10 successful projects.
The University of Ilorin recorded eight grants, while Bayero University Kano and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka secured seven each. The University of Jos received six grants, while the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos and Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto obtained five grants apiece.
The funding exercise also extended to newly established federal universities, reflecting efforts to broaden participation in research and innovation. Beneficiary institutions include the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia; Federal University of Environment and Technology, Koroma Saakpenwa, Ogoni; and the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin-Ekiti.
Several state-owned universities equally secured grants, among them Ekiti State University, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Rivers State University, Kwara State University, Adamawa State University and Sokoto State University.
Polytechnics and colleges of education were also represented in the list of successful institutions, with grants awarded to Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Federal Polytechnic Bida, Kaduna Polytechnic, Yaba College of Technology, College of Education Katsina, Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, and Isa Kaita College of Education, Dutsin-Ma, among others.
While congratulating the successful researchers, Echono described the exercise as highly competitive and urged beneficiaries to ensure that the studies produce outcomes that can support policy formulation, technological advancement and economic growth.
He further announced that preparations for the 2026 grant cycle would commence shortly, encouraging researchers in Nigerian tertiary institutions to begin developing innovative ideas and proposals for future funding opportunities.
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