TETFUND COMMENDED FOR SUPPORT IN ADVANCING RESEARCH ,INNOVATION IN NiIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES

By Lydia Legbo

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has been lauded for its significant contributions to the development of universities, particularly in the areas of research funding, infrastructure, and capacity building.

The commendation was made by Prof. Lawal Bilbis of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, who led the National Research Fund (NRF) Monitoring and Verification Team to the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT Minna) to assess the implementation of research projects funded under the 2021 Batch B National Research Fund Grant Cycle.

During the visit on Monday, July 7, 2025, at the Academic Publishing Centre, Main Campus, Prof. Bilbis emphasized that research is the core duty of academics. He noted that the visit aimed to evaluate the progress of ongoing projects, assess the adequacy of budgetary provisions, identify challenges faced by researchers, and inspect procured research facilities.

He added that the team’s findings based on project presentations, interactive sessions, and facility inspections will inform TETFund’s decisions and enhance future service delivery.

Earlier, the Director of the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Development (DRID), FUT, Minna, Prof. Chiemela E. Chinma, welcomed the delegation and introduced the principal investigators during a presentation session.

Prof. Olatomiwa Lanre Joseph and Prof. Auta Manase, principal investigators, presented their respective projects:

Development of an IoT-Based Real-Time Visualization Platform for Tracking Household Carbon Footprint, and

Application of Bio-Nano Remediation as a Novel Technology for Cleaning Petroleum-Contaminated Environments to Boost Economic Recovery in Nigeria.

Following the presentations and an engaging question and answer session, the team toured the facilities acquired for the research.

The visiting team was warmly received by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta. Other members of the delegation included Prof. Anthony Okpe (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria) and Miss Adati Shehu from TETFund headquarters, Abuja.

Photo Credit Elijah Yisa