N7.5bn Lifeline: FG Funds 174 Groundbreaking Research Projects Across Universities

The Federal Government has approved a massive N7.5 billion research intervention through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to support 174 research projects across Nigerian tertiary institutions, in a move aimed at accelerating innovation, technological advancement, and national development.

The grants, which range from N13.6 million to N49.97 million per project, will fund research in critical sectors including health and social welfare, agriculture, science and engineering, power and energy, renewable energy, defence technology, and security studies.

TETFund said the initiative underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening research capacity in higher institutions and positioning Nigeria as a globally competitive knowledge-driven economy.

According to the Fund, the intervention is designed to promote practical research capable of generating new products and services, improving productivity, and addressing key national challenges.

Among the institutions receiving the highest number of grants are the Federal University of Technology, Minna, with 18 projects; the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, with 11 projects; and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with 10 projects.

Other major beneficiaries include the University of Ilorin with eight grants, Bayero University Kano and Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka with seven grants each, while the University of Jos secured six grants. The University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, and Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, received five grants each.

TETFund also extended the intervention to newly established federal universities, state-owned institutions, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

New federal universities listed among the beneficiaries 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 institutions also secured grants, 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 benefiting from the programme 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 selected are the College of Education Katsina, Osun State College of Education Ilesa, and Isa Kaita College of Education Dutsin-Ma.

TETFund expressed confidence that the research grants would stimulate innovation, deepen academic excellence, and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economic prosperity by transforming research outcomes into practical solutions for national development.