FG Approves N7.5Bn TETFund Grants For 174 Research Projects In Universities, Polytechnics, COEs

ABUJA — The Federal Government, through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), has approved N7.5 billion in research grants for 174 projects across Nigerian tertiary institutions in a major push to strengthen research, innovation, and national development.

TETFund disclosed that the grants, awarded under its National Research Fund scheme, range from N13.6 million to N49.97 million per project and are targeted at addressing critical national challenges through research-based solutions.

According to the Fund, the approved projects cut across key sectors, including health and social welfare, agriculture, science and engineering, power and energy, clean energy, defence technology, and security studies, among others.

The initiative is aimed at encouraging groundbreaking research that can drive technological advancement, improve productivity, foster economic growth, and contribute to the country’s overall prosperity.

Among the institutions that secured the highest number of grants are the Federal University of Technology, Minna, which received 18 grants, followed by the Federal University of Technology, Owerri with 11 grants and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria with 10 grants.

Other leading 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 each received five grants under the programme.

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TETFund also revealed that newly established federal universities, state-owned tertiary institutions, polytechnics, and colleges of education featured prominently among the successful beneficiaries, reflecting efforts to broaden research opportunities across the country’s higher education sector.

The newly established federal universities that benefited 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.

Among state-owned institutions selected for the grants are Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Ekiti State University, Kwara State University, Adamawa State University, Rivers State University, and Sokoto State University.

Several polytechnics also secured research funding, including 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.

The list of beneficiaries further includes colleges of education such as the College of Education, Katsina, Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, and Isa Kaita College of Education, Dutsin-Ma.

Education stakeholders have described the funding intervention as a significant boost to Nigeria’s research ecosystem, noting that the projects are expected to generate innovative solutions, support industrial development, and strengthen the country’s capacity to compete in the global knowledge economy.

The latest approval underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting research-driven innovation as a catalyst for sustainable development and economic transformation.