TETFund Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono
Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has awarded research grants worth N7.5 billion to 174 research teams across Nigerian tertiary institutions under the 2025 National Research Fund (NRF) Grant Cycle, following what it described as a rigorous and highly competitive selection process.
Announcing the outcome of the grant cycle at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Executive Secretary of TETFund Architect Sonny Echono, said the grants were approved after extensive screening, evaluation and oral defence sessions conducted by the TETFund National Research Fund Screening and Monitoring Committee (NRFS&MC).
“I am pleased to announce that the Fund has released the outcome of the 2025 National Research Fund Grant Cycle after a rigorous screening and selection process conducted by the TETFund National Research Fund Screening and Monitoring Committee,” he said.
According to him, the selection process involved the submission and evaluation of concept notes, assessment of full research proposals, physical oral defence in Abuja and eventual selection of successful projects.
The Executive Secretary disclosed that the 174 successful research teams received grants ranging from N13.7 million to N49.98 million, covering key national development priorities.
He said the funded projects span critical thematic areas including health and social welfare, agriculture and food security, sustainable use of natural resources and terrestrial ecosystems, 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.
A breakdown of the awards showed that the Federal University of Technology, Minna emerged as the highest beneficiary institution with 18 successful grants, followed by the Federal University of Technology, Owerri with 11 grants and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria with 10.
Other top-performing institutions include the University of Ilorin with eight grants; Bayero University, Kano and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka with seven grants each; University of Jos with six; while the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos and Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto secured five grants each.
The Executive Secretary also highlighted the inclusion of newly established federal universities among beneficiaries, including the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia; Federal University of Environment and Technology, Koroma Saakpenwa, Ogoni; and the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin-Ekiti.
Several state-owned institutions also secured grants, including 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 were not left out, with institutions such as 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 among successful beneficiaries.
Congratulating the successful institutions and research teams, the TETFund boss described the award as the culmination of a rigorous selection process.
“The Fund wishes to congratulate the institutions and the research teams that emerged successfully after such a rigorous and competitive selection process,” he stated.
He added that preparations for the 2026 National Research Fund Grant Cycle would commence shortly and urged scholars and researchers across Nigerian tertiary institutions to take advantage of the opportunity.
“The Fund will soon commence the process for the award of the 2026 NRF Grant Cycle. I wish to call on our scholars and researchers from our various tertiary institutions who want to participate in the National Research Fund grants to take advantage of this opportunity and submit their Concept Notes for the 2026 Grant Cycle,” he said.
