ABUJA – In a major push to strengthen innovation, scientific discovery, and national development, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has approved N7.5 billion in research grants for 174 projects under its 2025 National Research Fund (NRF) cycle.
The announcement was made on Thursday in Abuja by TETFund Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono, who described research and innovation as critical drivers of economic growth, job creation, and sustainable national development.
According to Echono, the Federal Government remains committed to investing in research that can unlock Nigeria’s vast human and natural resources while providing practical solutions to national challenges.
“If we harness the intellectual talents within our tertiary institutions and deploy them effectively, we will be able to better utilise our natural resources and accelerate development,” he said.
Rigorous Selection Process
Echono explained that the 2025 NRF grant selection followed a highly competitive three-stage evaluation process supervised by TETFund’s National Research Fund Screening and Monitoring Committee.
Researchers first submitted concept notes, after which shortlisted candidates were invited to develop full proposals. The final stage involved oral presentations and project defence sessions in Abuja before successful proposals were selected.
“At the end of the process, 174 research grants were approved across strategic sectors of national development, with a total value of N7.5 billion,” he stated.
The approved grants range from N13.6 million to N49.97 million per project, with most awards going to collaborative research teams rather than individual researchers.
Focus on National Development
The funded projects span several priority areas, including:
- Health and social welfare
- Agriculture and food security
- Science, technology and engineering
- Power and renewable energy
- Blue economy
- Defence and security studies
- Education and human capital development
- Gender equity and social inclusion
- Sustainable natural resource management
- Clean energy and environmental sustainability
FUT Minna Leads Beneficiaries
Among the institutions that secured the highest number of grants, the Federal University of Technology Minna emerged as the top performer with 18 grants.
Other leading beneficiaries include:
- Federal University of Technology Owerri – 11 grants
- Ahmadu Bello University – 10 grants
- University of Ilorin – 8 grants
- Bayero University Kano – 7 grants
- Nnamdi Azikiwe University – 7 grants
- University of Jos – 6 grants
The University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, and Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto each secured five grants.
Newly established federal universities, state-owned institutions, polytechnics, and colleges of education also featured among the successful beneficiaries.
55 Patents Produced in Three Years
Highlighting the impact of previous interventions, Echono revealed that TETFund-supported research has generated more than 55 patents within the last three years, demonstrating growing innovation capacity within Nigerian tertiary institutions.
He cited several notable innovations developed through TETFund-funded research, including:
- Food preservation technologies
- Mechanised gari processing systems
- Improved seed varieties
- Water purification solutions
- Wind-powered energy technologies
- Hearing aids
- Electric vehicles
- Locally manufactured fire engines
Research Fair Planned for November
To further bridge the gap between research and industry, TETFund announced plans to host another National Research Fair in November. The event will showcase research outputs and connect innovators with investors, manufacturers, financial institutions, and development partners.
Echono also disclosed that preparations for the 2026 National Research Fund cycle would begin soon, encouraging researchers nationwide to participate in what he described as a transparent and highly competitive process.
The latest N7.5 billion intervention underscores the Federal Government’s continued efforts to strengthen research funding, promote innovation, and ensure that academic research contributes directly to Nigeria’s economic transformation and development goals.
