The Federal University Dutse (FUD) and Kano State Polytechnic are among the institutions selected to benefit from the Federal Government’s N4.2 billion research grant under the 2024 cycle of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) National Research Fund.
According to a statement issued by Abdulmumin Oniyangi, TETFund’s Director of Public Affairs, on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono, a total of 158 research proposals were approved for funding after a screening process that began with the submission of 6,944 concept notes by researchers across the country.
The approved funds were categorized as follows: N2.35 billion allocated to Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation projects; N1.03 billion for Humanities and Social Sciences; and N870.7 million for Cross Cutting research areas.
Institutions with the highest number of successful projects include the Federal University of Technology, Minna, which secured 15 grants worth N400 million; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with 13 projects totaling N359.8 million; and the Federal University of Technology, Akure, with 12 awards valued at N341.6 million.
Other top recipients include the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (11 awards, N256.3 million), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi (10 awards, N273.4 million), and the University of Ilorin (8 awards, N220.5 million).
Some of the approved projects focus on areas such as eco-friendly walling systems for low-cost housing in rural communities, development of hybrid cubic fertilizer using plant-based binders, intelligent aerial robotics systems for weed and disease management in maize-cowpea farms, and AI-enabled medical monitoring systems for military use in war zones.
In addition to the research grants, the Federal Government has approved contracts to set up 18 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hubs in TETFund-supported institutions across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. These hubs are expected to house specialized labs including electronics, 3D printing, laser technology, product design, robotics, coding, and artificial intelligence facilities.
The initiative, according to the statement, aims to encourage the use of research findings in solving local challenges and to boost innovation within institutions by supporting multidisciplinary collaboration.
Under the 2025 intervention fund, more support is also on the way for innovation and entrepreneurship development. FUD, alongside the University of Uyo and the University of Ibadan, has been allocated N1 billion each.
Kano State Polytechnic is among several other institutions, including Federal Polytechnic Bida and Taraba State Polytechnic, Jalingo, set to receive N750 million each to enhance their innovation and entrepreneurship capacity.
