FUT Minna, UNILAG, ABU Zaria Top List as FG Approves ₦4.2bn TETFund Grant for Research

The Federal Government has approved the sum of ₦4.2 billion for funding 158 research projects under the 2024 cycle of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) National Research Fund (NRF). The move is aimed at strengthening research capacity and supporting academic solutions to Nigeria’s key developmental challenges.

Additionally, a separate ₦15 billion has been approved for the creation of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hubs in selected tertiary institutions across the six geopolitical zones of the country, with the aim of boosting technological innovation and commercialization of research output.

The NRF approval follows a rigorous evaluation process by the National Research Fund Screening and Monitoring Committee (NRFS&MC), which initially received 6,944 concept notes from researchers across Nigeria. Of those, 158 full proposals were selected for funding.

According to a breakdown provided by TETFund’s Director of Public Affairs, Abdulmumin Oniyangi, the Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation (SETI) thematic area received the largest share of the grant—₦2.35 billion. The Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) thematic area was allocated ₦1.03 billion, while Cross-Cutting (CC) themes received ₦870.7 million.

Among the top institutions with the highest number of awarded grants are the Federal University of Technology, Minna (15 awards totaling ₦400 million), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (13 awards at ₦359.8 million), and Federal University of Technology, Akure (12 awards valued at ₦341.6 million). Others include FUTO, ATBU Bauchi, and the University of Ilorin.

Some of the research projects to be funded include:

Development of Sustainable Eco-Friendly Walling Systems for Low-Cost Housing,
Hybrid Cubic Fertilizer Using Plant-Based Binders,
Aerial Robotics for Weed and Disease Management,
AI-Enabled Medical Monitoring for Military Operations, and
Intelligent Electrical Energy Metering Systems, among others.
These initiatives align with TETFund’s core objective of driving research in areas relevant to Nigeria’s socio-economic needs—such as power, agriculture, security, health, employment, and innovation. Under the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, research and innovation are considered vital to economic development and poverty alleviation.
In a further push to bridge the gap between research and marketable innovation, the Federal Government has also approved the establishment of 18 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hubs in 2024. These hubs will house advanced laboratories and workstations, including AI labs, robotics, product design, 3D printing, laser tech, and electronics—aimed at converting research outputs into real-world applications.

Looking ahead to 2025, the government has also allocated ₦1 billion each to Federal University Dutse, University of Uyo, and University of Ibadan to establish Entrepreneurship Centres. Additional funding of ₦750 million each has been earmarked for institutions including Federal Polytechnic Bida, Taraba State Polytechnic, Adamawa State Polytechnic, Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic, Akanu Ibiam Polytechnic, Auchi Polytechnic, Bayelsa State Polytechnic, Federal Polytechnic Ede, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, College of Education (Technical) Kabba, and Enugu State College of Education (Technical).