The Federal Government of Nigeria has granted approval for the disbursement of N5.1 billion to fuel the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) National Research Fund 2023 Grant Cycle. This substantial research grant is strategically aimed at providing financial backing to researchers addressing pivotal areas crucial to Nigeria’s economy and the welfare of its citizens. The decision, conveyed by the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, comes after the thorough assessment and recommendations from the TETFund National Research Fund Screening and Monitoring Committee (NRFS&MC).
The approved fund encompasses N3.78 million designated for the Science, Engineering, Technology, and Innovation (SETI) thematic group, N759,875,400.00 for Humanities and Social Science (HSS), and N583,669,300.63 for Cross-Cutting (CC). Individual grants, varying from N8 million to over N46 million, will be distributed among 185 meticulously screened research proposals.
This National Research Fund (NRF) Grant serves as a catalyst for cutting-edge research endeavors focusing on societal needs in critical sectors such as power, energy, health, security, agriculture, employment, and wealth creation, aligning seamlessly with TETFund’s mandate. The NRF Grant has gained additional momentum under the Renewed Hope Agenda, presenting a valuable tool to foster economic growth and enhance the living standards of Nigerians.
Under the SETI thematic category, approved research projects include the development of a national rural water quality assurance plan, creation of doubled haploid maize lines for improved yield, and the design of intelligent evaporative cooling systems and electric vehicles. The Cross-Cutting thematic category features projects like utilizing scrap tires and plastic wastes for renewable energy storage, creating technology for aluminum alloy sacrificial anodes, and designing a low-voltage programmable electroporator for wound healing and cancer treatment.
The Humanities and Social Science category encompasses initiatives like digital financial inclusion for rural households, improving access to library resources for visually impaired students in e-learning environments, and mitigating post-traumatic stress disorder among frontline Nigerian Army personnel using stress inoculation therapy.
This strategic allocation of funds underscores the government’s commitment to advancing research and development, fostering innovation, and addressing critical challenges that impact the nation’s progress and well-being.
Credit: Nairametrics
