The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) will release N4.2 billion to support 158 research projects in science, engineering, technology, innovation, humanities and social sciences. TETFund’s Director of Public Affairs, Abdulmumin Oniyangi, said in a statement that the grants were approved under the 2024 National Research Fund (NRF) Grant Cycle. They follow recommendations by the National Research Fund Screening and Monitoring Committee after a rigorous selection process.
According to Oniyangi, 6,944 concept notes were received from researchers. A breakdown shows N2.34 billion was approved for science, engineering, technology and innovation, N1.02 billion for humanities and social sciences, and N870.70 million for cross-cutting studies. The Federal University of Technology, Minna, received the highest number of awards – 15, worth N400.03m.
Ahmadu Bello University got 13 awards worth N359.80m, while the Federal University of Technology, Akure, had 12 awards worth N341.60m. Other beneficiaries include the Federal University of Technology, Owerri; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; and the University of Ilorin. Approved projects include a sustainable walling system for low-cost rural housing, a hybrid cubic fertiliser using plant-based binders, and an aerial robotics system for weed and disease management in maize-cowpea farmland.
