ASHENEWS reports that the National Research Fund (NRF) initiative of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund’s (TETFund), has advanced highest number of grants to researchers of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), under the 2023 Grant Cycle.
This platform further reports that, of the 185 research proposals scheduled to receive funding for the cycle, while FUTA researchers received 17 grants that attracted N426,656,552.45, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna received 16 grants each.
TETFund’s Director of Public Affairs, Abdulmumin Oniyangi while disclosing the winners, said the winning universities were selected based on the recommendation of the TETFund National Research Fund Screening and Monitoring Committee (NRFS&M), which screened 4,287 concept notes from prospective applicants, and the approval of the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman.
He said the research funding is in continuation of the government’s efforts aimed at boosting research and development for economic and technological development in Nigeria as enunciated in the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration
The Vice Chancellor of FUTA, Professor Adenike Oladiji described the success of FUTA in the 2023 grant cycle of the NRF as a major validation of the institution’s reputation as a research-intensive University.
“We are proud that our institution is living up to its billing as a research-intensive University with researchers ensuring that we live up to our motto of Technology for Self-Reliance.
“I am sure that our researchers will acquit themselves creditably well and deliver research findings and products that will contribute to the growth of the ivory tower and development of our country.
“I congratulate all the Principal Investigators and their internal and external collaborators and wish them resounding success in the tasks ahead,” the Vice Chancellor said.
The Director, FUTA Centre for Research and Development (CERAD), Professor Kenneth Alaneme, said the University Researchers will deliver creditably well on the projects.
“FUTA through its Centre for Research and Development (CERAD) has a robust mechanism of ensuring that the project deliverables are achieved in terms of quality, project duration, and strict adherence to project budgetary provisions.
“Through its project implementation workshops for new awardees, project monitoring and evaluation, and financial control, the University has always delivered on funded projects (local and international). This has contributed to the high research reputation of the university,” he said.
The National Research Fund (NRF) Grant was introduced by TETFund to encourage cutting-edge research aimed at exploring research areas relevant to societal needs of Nigeria, such as power and energy, health, security, agriculture, employment, wealth creation, etc., in line with the agency’s mandate.
“The intervention received additional impetus under the Renewed Hope Agenda as a veritable tool to grow the economy and improve the standards of living of the Nigerian people.”
