FUTA Leads Other Varsities in National Research Fund Grants

Fidelis David in Akure

Researchers from the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) have won the highest number of grants out of the 185 research proposals scheduled for funding under the 2023 grant cycle by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund’s (TETFund) National Research Fund (NRF) initiative. 

With 17 grants, FUTA posted the best showings among other universities, with its researchers winning funding grants of N426,656,552.45. Obafemi Awolowo University and the Federal University of Technology Minna, with 16 grants each and other universities trailed behind.

TETFund’s Director of Public Affairs, Abdulmumin Oniyangi, while disclosing the winners in Akure, said they were selected following the report of the TETFund National Research Fund Screening and Monitoring Committee, NRFS&M and the approval of the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman. 

He said for the current grant cycle, N5.1 billion will be released for the funding of 185 successful research proposals, adding that “the successful research proposals were picked after a rigorous screening exercise that commenced in March 2023 with the receipt of 4,287 concept notes from prospective applicants.”

He said the research funding continues the government’s efforts to boost research and development for economic and technological development in Nigeria, as enunciated in the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor of FUTA, Prof Adenike Oladiji, has described the university’s success in the 2023 grant cycle of the NRF as a major validation of its reputation as a research-intensive university. 

“We are proud that our institution is living up to its billing as a research-intensive university with researchers ensuring that we live up to our motto of ‘Technology for Self-Reliance’. I am sure that our researchers will acquit themselves creditably well and deliver research findings and products that will contribute to the growth of the ivory tower and development of our country. 

“I congratulate all the principal investigators and their internal and external collaborators and wish them resounding success in the tasks ahead,” the VC said.

Also, the Director of FUTA Centre for Research and Development (CERAD), Prof Kenneth Alaneme, said the university researchers will deliver creditably well on the projects. 

“FUTA, through its Centre for Research and Development, has a robust mechanism of ensuring that the project deliverables are achieved in terms of quality, project duration, and strict adherence to project budgetary provisions. Through its project implementation workshops for new awardees, project monitoring and evaluation, and financial control, the university has always delivered on funded projects (local and international). This has contributed to the high research reputation of the university.”

TETFund introduced the National Research Fund grant to encourage cutting-edge research exploring research areas relevant to the societal needs of Nigeria, such as power and energy, health, security, agriculture, employment, wealth creation, etc., in line with the agency’s mandate.