The Federal Government, through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), has approved research grants worth N7.5 billion for 174 projects across Nigerian tertiary institutions in a move aimed at strengthening research, innovation and national development.
TETFund disclosed that the grants, which range from N13.6 million to N49.97 million per project, will support research in critical sectors including health and social welfare, agriculture, science and engineering, power and energy, clean energy, defence technology, and security studies.
According to the agency, the funding is designed to encourage research-driven innovation that can generate new products and services, improve productivity and contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth and prosperity.
Among the institutions that secured the highest number of grants are the Federal University of Technology, Minna, with 18 approved projects, followed by the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, with 11 projects, and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with 10 projects.
The University of Ilorin received eight grants, while Bayero University, Kano, and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, secured seven grants each. The University of Jos received six grants, while the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos and Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, secured five grants each.
TETFund also revealed that newly established federal universities were among the beneficiaries. These include the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Kaduna State; the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Koroma/Saakpenwa, Rivers State; and the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin Ekiti.
Several state-owned universities also secured grants under the programme, including Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Ekiti State University, Kwara State University, Adamawa State University, Rivers State University and Sokoto State University.
Polytechnics that benefited from the intervention include Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro; Federal Polytechnic, Bida; Federal Polytechnic, Nekede; Federal Polytechnic, Moguno; Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji; Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi; Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri; Yaba College of Technology; Kaduna Polytechnic; and Umaru Ali Shinkafi Polytechnic, Sokoto.
Among the colleges of education that received grants are the College of Education, Katsina; Osun State College of Education, Ilesa; and Isa Kaita College of Education, Dutsin-Ma.
TETFund said the initiative underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting research excellence and innovation across tertiary institutions, with the ultimate goal of addressing national challenges and enhancing socio-economic development through knowledge-driven solutions.
