President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the release of ₦4,249,626,817.69 for the funding of 158 research projects under the 2024 National Research Fund (NRF) Grant Cycle, administered by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
This follows the recommendation of the National Research Fund Screening and Monitoring Committee (NRFS&MC), which reviewed a total of 6,944 concept notes submitted by researchers from various tertiary institutions across the country.
The approval was confirmed via an official statement issued on Tuesday by the Director of Public Affairs, Abdulmumin Oniyangi, on behalf of the Executive Secretary of TETFund.
According to the breakdown provided, ₦2.35 billion has been allocated to research under the Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation (SETI) thematic area; ₦1.03 billion to Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS); and ₦870.7 million to Cross-Cutting (CC) research.
Institutions with the highest number of successful research grants include:
Federal University of Technology, Minna – 15 projects valued over ₦400 million
Ahmadu Bello University – 13 projects totaling ₦359.8 million
Federal University of Technology, Akure – 12 projects worth ₦341.6 million
Federal University of Technology, Owerri – 11 projects
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi – 10 projects
University of Ilorin – 8 projects
Key projects to be funded include:
Development of Sustainable Eco-Friendly Walling Systems for Low-Cost Housing
Development of Hybrid Cubic Fertilizers Using Plant-Based Binders
Creation of an Intelligent Aerial Robotics System for Crop Management
Deployment of an AI-Enabled Internet of Medical Things for Military Monitoring
Development of an Intelligent Electrical Energy Management System
TETFund emphasized that the NRF Grant is designed to support high-impact research in critical sectors such as agriculture, energy, healthcare, defense, and national innovation.
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In a parallel initiative to strengthen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem, the Federal Government has approved contracts for the establishment of 18 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hubs across TETFund-supported institutions in the six geopolitical zones.
These hubs will feature state-of-the-art facilities including 3D printing labs, robotics workshops, electronics stations, and AI development centers.
“The project is intended to facilitate and accelerate the uptake of promising research output, providing solution-driven and multidisciplinary hubs tailored towards the needs of beneficiary institutions,” the statement noted.
Furthermore, under the TETFund 2025 Intervention, additional direct funding has been approved for 15 institutions to boost innovation and enterprise development:
₦1 billion each to: Federal University Dutse, University of Uyo, and University of Ibadan
₦750 million each to: Federal Polytechnic Bida, Taraba State Polytechnic, Adamawa State Polytechnic, Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic, Kano State Polytechnic, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Auchi Polytechnic, Bayelsa State Polytechnic, Federal Polytechnic Ede, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, College of Education (Technical) Kabba, and Enugu State College of Education (Technical)
This comprehensive intervention underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding Nigeria’s capacity in research, innovation, and technological advancement for national development.