Three lecturers at the Federal University of Oye Ekiti have secured global research grants worth N300 million to boost the school’s research efforts and scientific learning.
The beneficiaries are the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole; the Director of Research and Development, Prof. Olayide Lawal; and Prof. Olufunke Akintayo of the Department of Industrial Chemistry.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof Olubunmi Shittu, praised the scholars in a statement released on Tuesday in Ado Ekiti by the Special Adviser on Media to the VC, Prof Abayomi Fasina. She described the achievement as a breakthrough for the university.
According to the statement, Ogunwole attracted a state-of-the-art Connected Autonomous Space Environment Sensor GPS receiver, valued at $15,000, which is described as a significant boost to FUOYE’s scientific and technological research capacity.
It added that “the cutting-edge equipment awarded by the Virginia Tech College of Engineering, United States, under the VT-NigerBEAR project, “is a sophisticated device designed for cutting-edge space science research and is expected to significantly enhance FUOYE’s capacity to monitor and analyse space environment data.
“This recognition not only reaffirms Prof Ogunwole’s unwavering commitment to driving scientific advancement in Nigeria but also highlights the transformative potential of strategic academic leadership in cultivating global partnerships that catalyse institutional and national development,” it stated.
The statement announced that Profs Lawal and Akintayo secured Seeding Labs equipment consignment through the support of the VC, Prof Fasina (currently on leave), who approved the $10,000 requirements of the university to acquire the high-impact research equipment from Boston, United States and also paid an extra N2m from his pocket for other logistics.
It stated, “The Department of Chemistry, FUOYE, has added a significant feather to its cap by emerging as a recipient of the highly coveted and prestigious Instrumental Access Award from Seeding Labs, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
“With this award, the Department of Chemistry, FUOYE has proudly secured a place among the 137 global awardees of the Instrumental Access programme, representing institutions from at least 39 countries around the world.”
The Chief Executive Officer of Seeding Labs, Dr Melissa Wu, in a congratulatory letter to the FUOYE VC, commended the university and expressed satisfaction with the application submitted by Prof Lawal and Prof Akintayo.
Wu stated, “Our mission is to increase access to resources for science in developing countries, and by participating in Instrumental Access, you will be joining our community of 137 awardees in 39 countries worldwide. We look forward to working with you and your colleagues across the university to equip your scientists and students with the laboratory tools necessary to conduct life-changing research and to train the next generation of scientists.”
FUOYE acting VC, Prof Shittu, took pride in the department’s achievement, describing it as a clear reflection of the university’s rising profile on the global academic and research stage.
“We are grateful to Seeding Labs and the Schlumberger Foundation for this opportunity to expand our research capabilities and global impact,” he said.
Key highlights of the award, according to the statement, included the delivery of 163 laboratory equipment and supplies to FUOYE, with a replacement value of $250,000.
Notable among the equipment are FPLC Chromatography System, AKTA Explore, Desiccator cabinets, balances, Buchi Heating Baths, Rotary evaporators, chemical dryers, PCR thermal cyclers, and refrigerators, among others.
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