By Mohammed Abubakar
A Monitoring and Verification Team from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) visited the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT Minna) from Monday, 7th to Tuesday, 8th July, 2025, to assess the implementation and progress of two research projects funded under the Batch B(2021) National Research Fund (NRF) Grant Cycle.
The team, led by Prof. Lawal Bilbis, former Vice-Chancellor of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, included Prof. Anthony Okpe from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and Ms. Adati Shehu from TETFund Headquarters, Abuja. Their expertise spans across Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Engineering, and Innovation.
During the exit meeting with the University Management, Prof. Bilbis commended the quality of research outputs and the clarity of presentations made by FUT Minna researchers. “The presentations were excellent, and our critical review found no faults,” he remarked.
Reflecting on his first visit to the University in the early 1990s during the leadership of the late Prof. M.A. Daniyan, Prof. Bilbis acknowledged the institution’s impressive development, crediting its consistent growth to a solid foundation.
He emphasized the importance of moving beyond publication and patenting to actual commercialization of research outputs. “Many patents end up shelved in boxes. What we need are startups and commercialization outfits that can turn innovations into viable products,” he said.
Prof. Bilbis further disclosed that TETFund is planning a dedicated funding scheme to support the development of prototypes and facilitate the transition from patents to market-ready solutions. He urged Vice-Chancellors nationwide to prioritize funding for prototype development and forge partnerships with investors for mass production.
“As a leading technology-driven institution, FUT Minna should champion this transformation,” he added.
In his response, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta, expressed appreciation for the visit and reaffirmed the University’s commitment to research with real-world impact. He acknowledged the vision of the University’s founding fathers and reiterated the administration’s efforts to sustain their legacy.
Prof. Kuta announced ongoing plans to establish a Research and Innovation Park aimed at consolidating patented research outcomes and fostering collaborations with industry for commercialization. “We are focused on ensuring TETFund-supported research is product-oriented and sustainable,” he said.
The monitoring exercise specifically evaluated two projects:
Prof. Olatomiwa Lanre Joseph , Principal Investigator – Development of an IoT-Based Real-Time Visualization Platform for Tracking Household Carbon Footprint
Prof. Auta Manase , Principal Investigator – Applying Bio-Nano Remediation as a Novel Technology to Remedy Petroleum Polluted Environment for Effective Economic Recovery in Nigeria
The visit ended on a positive note, with the TETFund team expressing gratitude for the warm hospitality and commending the vibrant research environment at FUT, Minna.
Photo Credit Elijah Yisa
