FUT Minna leads in TETFund’s 2025 research grants of N7.5bn to 174 teams for industry-relevant researches
By Uji A. Iliyasu Abuja
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has awarded research grants worth N7.5bn to 174 research teams across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions under the 2025 National Research Fund (NRF) Grant Cycle.
The Executive Secretary of TETFund Sonny Echono announced the outcome of the grant cycle during a press briefing held on Thursday at the TETFund’s headquarters in Abuja, describing the exercise as the culmination of a rigorous and competitive selection process aimed at supporting research in areas of national importance.
The Executive Secretary said the grant selection process involved the submission and assessment of concept notes, evaluation of full research proposals, oral defence sessions conducted in Abuja, and final approval by the TETFund National Research Fund Screening and Monitoring Committee.
He disclosed that the grants awarded to successful research teams ranged from N13.7m to N49.98m, depending on the scope and requirements of the approved projects.
The funded research projects cover a broad range of thematic areas considered critical to national development. These include health and social welfare, agriculture and food security, sustainable use of natural resources and terrestrial ecosystems. Others include science and engineering, power and energy, blue economy, innovation and technology in national defence capabilities, clean and affordable energy, education and human capital development, gender equity and social inclusion, as well as conflict, defence and security.
Among the institutions that recorded the highest number of successful grants is the Federal University of Technology ( FUT ) Minna, which emerged top with 18 awards. It was followed by the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) with 11 grants, while Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, secured 10. The University of Ilorin (UniIorin) received eight grants, while Bayero University ( BUK) Kano, and Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, won seven grants each.
Other grant winning institutions are the University of Jos ( UniJos) which secured six awards, while the University of Ibadan (UI), University of Lagos (UniLag)), and Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS), received five grants each.
The Fund also highlighted the participation of newly established federal universities, including the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia; Federal University of Environment and Technology, Koroma Saakpenwa, Ogoni; and Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin-Ekiti, all of which secured grants under the scheme.
Several state-owned institutions were also among the beneficiaries. These include Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Ekiti State University, Kwara State University, Adamawa State University, Rivers State University, and Sokoto State University.
Polytechnics and Colleges of Education (COEs) also featured among the successful institutions. Beneficiaries include Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro; Federal Polytechnic, Bida; Yaba College of Technology; Kaduna Polytechnic; College of Education, Katsina; Osun State College of Education, Ilesa; and Isa Kaita College of Education, Dutsin-Ma.
The Executive Secretary congratulated the successful institutions and research teams, noting that the award marks the conclusion of the 2025 NRF grant cycle.
He further announced that preparations for the 2026 grant cycle would commence soon and encouraged researchers across Nigerian tertiary institutions to take advantage of the opportunity by submitting quality concept notes for consideration.