The Federal Government has approved N4.2 billion under the 2024 grant cycle of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund’s National Research Fund to support 158 research projects and establish innovation and entrepreneurship hubs in select tertiary institutions across Nigeria. The announcement was made in Abuja by the Director of Public Affairs at TETFund, Abdulmumin Oniyangi, who noted that the approval followed a rigorous screening exercise conducted by the National Research Fund Screening and Monitoring Committee, which received 6,944 concept notes from researchers nationwide.
Out of the total amount, a significant portion has been allocated to research in science, engineering, technology and innovation, with further funding directed to projects in the humanities and social sciences, as well as cross-cutting research areas. Institutions such as the Federal University of Technology, Minna; Ahmadu Bello University; and the Federal University of Technology, Akure, are among the leading beneficiaries, securing multiple research grants worth hundreds of millions of naira.
The approved research projects cover a wide range of pressing national issues, including sustainable housing solutions for rural areas, advanced agricultural technology for improved food production, and the use of artificial intelligence in both health and energy management. One project, for instance, focuses on developing an intelligent aerial robotic system for better weed and disease control in Nigerian farms, while another aims to use AI to enhance physiological monitoring for military personnel in combat zones.
In addition to research funding, the federal government has also endorsed the establishment of 18 innovation and entrepreneurship hubs across the six geopolitical zones. These hubs, to be housed within TETFund-supported institutions, will be equipped with modern technology laboratories and workstations to promote innovation, creativity, and commercialization of research outcomes. They are expected to bridge the gap between academic research and industry, providing practical platforms for students and researchers to transform ideas into viable products and services.
The initiative is part of the broader strategy to encourage solution-driven research and enhance the relevance of Nigerian higher education institutions in national development. TETFund, through the NRF grant, continues to target research areas that respond to societal challenges in sectors such as power, agriculture, health, security, and job creation.
Looking ahead to 2025, the government has also approved additional funds for innovation infrastructure in 15 tertiary institutions, including universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. These funds are intended to support the development of entrepreneurship centres and innovation-driven projects, further reinforcing the federal government’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and research excellence across the country.
