Nigeria Boosts Innovation With a N4.2 Billion Grant For 158 University Research Projects.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved a N4.2 billion grant to fund 158 research projects across universities, reinforcing its commitment to advancing innovation and academic excellence. President Bola Tinubu authorised the disbursement of N4,249,626,817.69 under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) National Research Fund (NRF) 2024 Grant Cycle, following a rigorous selection process by the TETFund National Research Fund Screening and Monitoring Committee (NRFS&MC).
Abdulmumin Oniyangi, TETFund’s Director of Public Affairs, announced the approval in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja. The funding decision came after the NRFS&MC evaluated 6,944 concept notes submitted by researchers nationwide, ultimately recommending 158 proposals for funding. The grants are allocated across three key areas: N2,349,951,630.43 for Science, Engineering, Technology, and Innovation (SETI), N1,028,966,204.32 for Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS), and N870,708,982.94 for Cross-Cutting (CC) research projects, addressing critical national needs such as health, energy, security, agriculture, and job creation.
Leading the pack, the Federal University of Technology, Minna secured 15 awards worth N400,035,708.51, followed by Ahmadu Bello University with 13 awards totalling N359,809,744.18, and the Federal University of Technology, Akure with 12 projects valued at N341,608,592.80. Other notable beneficiaries include the Federal University of Technology, Owerri with 11 awards worth N256,350,698.80, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi with 10 awards at N273,406,318.80, and the University of Ilorin with 8 awards amounting to N220,538,834.12. These projects include groundbreaking initiatives like eco-friendly walling systems for low-cost rural housing, AI-enabled medical monitoring for military use, and intelligent aerial robotics for agricultural management.
In addition to the research grants, the Federal Government has approved the establishment of 18 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hubs across TETFund beneficiary institutions in all six geopolitical zones as part of the 2024 Intervention. These hubs will feature advanced facilities, including electronic labs, 3D printing, laser technology, robotics, coding, and artificial intelligence workstations, aimed at transforming research outputs into practical solutions for Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem. Further supporting this vision, the 2025 Intervention allocates N1 billion each to Federal University Dutse, University of Uyo, and University of Ibadan, while 12 other institutions, including Federal Polytechnic Bida and Kano State Polytechnic, will each receive N750 million to establish additional hubs and entrepreneurship centres.
The NRF Grant, introduced by TETFund, is designed to drive cutting-edge research aligned with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, fostering economic growth and improving living standards through innovation in critical sectors. This significant investment underscores Nigeria’s dedication to building a knowledge-driven economy and nurturing a new generation of researchers and innovators.
