TETFund approves N7.5bn research grants for 174 projects

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has allocated N7.5 billion in research grants, supporting 174 projects through its 2025 National Research Fund cycle. This initiative aims to bolster research and innovation within Nigeria's tertiary institutions, positioning them as catalysts for economic transformation, job creation, and national development.

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We believe strongly that if we can use the knowledge in our tertiary institutions and we can harness those intellectual talents and deploy them efficiently, we will be able to better utilise our natural resources.

Sonny Echono, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, announced the approval, emphasizing the Federal Government's increased commitment to research and development. He stated that research is crucial for unlocking Nigeria's extensive human and natural resources and driving innovation across key economic sectors. Echono believes that harnessing the intellectual talent within tertiary institutions will enable more efficient utilization of the nation's natural resources, leading to new products, improved productivity, and overall national prosperity.

The selection process for the 2025 NRF grants involved rigorous multi-stage assessments. Applicants first submitted concept notes, followed by full proposals from shortlisted candidates. The final stage included oral presentations in Abuja for researchers to defend their projects. Ultimately, 174 grants were approved, primarily for research teams rather than single individuals.

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A total of 174 grants were recommended and approved. And these went to a few single individuals, but the majority of them are research teams that participated in the exercise.

The funded projects span critical thematic areas such as health and social welfare, agriculture and food security, sustainable natural resource use, science and engineering, power and energy, the blue economy, defense technology, clean energy, education, human capital development, gender equity, social inclusion, and conflict and security studies. The individual grant amounts range from N13.6 million to N49.97 million. Notably, the Federal University of Technology, Minna, led with 18 grants, followed by the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (11 grants), Ahmadu Bello University (10 grants), and the University of Ilorin (8 grants).

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The grants range from N13.6m to N49.97m each for the researchers.