TETFund: FG Releases N7.5bn Research Grants For 174 Projects Across Nigerian Tertiary Institutions
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The Federal Government has announced the release of N7.5 billion research grants to 174 research teams across Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Arc. Sonny Echono disclosed the grant at a media briefing on Thursday, describing it as one of the most significant investments in homegrown research and innovation aimed at addressing the nation’s pressing development challenges.
He mentioned that the grants was awarded under the 2025 National Research Fund NRF cycle.
Explaining the details, Echono said the Funds release followed a rigorous and highly competitive selection process involving proposal submissions, evaluations, and physical oral defence sessions conducted in Abuja by the National Research Fund Screening and Monitoring Committee.
According to him, the grants cut across critical sectors of national development, including health, agriculture, food security, education, energy, science and engineering, national defence, technology, blue economy, conflict resolution, gender inclusion, and environmental sustainability.
Echono also told the forum that the grants went to individual research teams ranging from N13.69 million to N49.98 million, reflecting the scale and strategic importance of the approved projects.
His words, “A total of 174 grants were awarded to various research teams across thematic areas of national priority at a total sum of N7.5 billion”.
He explained that the selection process began with the submission of concept notes, followed by the evaluation of full proposals and oral defence by shortlisted applicants before the final approval of successful projects.
The Executive Secretary listed the beneficiaries as Federal University of Technology,FUT, Minna emerged as the highest beneficiary institution, securing 18 research grants, followed by the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, with 11 grants.
“Other top-performing institutions include Ahmadu Bello University (10 grants), University of Ilorin (8), Bayero University Kano (7), Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka (7), University of Jos (6), University of Ibadan (5), University of Lagos (5), and Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (5).
“The outcome underscores the growing research competitiveness of Nigerian universities and their increasing role in generating solutions to national challenges”.
TETFund announced that several new federal universities secured grants in the 2025 cycle.
He listed the new ones to include Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia; Federal University of Environment and Technology, Koroma Saakpenwa, Ogoni; and the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin-Ekiti.
