Tinubu Approves N13bn For Research, Lab Upgrade In Varsities

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the sum of N13 billion for the National Research Fund (NRF) and the provision of Central Multipurpose Laboratories in select universities nationwide.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman made the disclosure during the inauguration of key committees; the reconstituted TETFund National Research Fund Screening and Monitoring Committee (NRFS&MC) and the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) on Tuesday in Abuja.

The Minister who also received the report of the TETFund ad hoc Committee on Equipment Upgrade in Workshops and Laboratories, noted that without adequate and sustainable funding, increased productivity arising from purposeful and problem-solving research would continue to be a mirage in the country.

He said: “The National Research Fund (NRF) was established in 2011 to help resuscitate research activities in the Nation’s public tertiary institutions and the NRF Committee is supporting the Fund to ensure effective administration of the grants.

“The NRF intervention has been a lifeline for reinvigoration of research activities in our tertiary institutions.

“The Fund has also been making concerted efforts to identify more innovative ways of deploying resources to fund research programmes and projects with a view to deepen the institutionalization of R&D to tackle national challenges.

“From the inception of NRF intervention in 2011, the Fund has awarded a total of Nine Hundred and Twelve (912) Research Grants to researchers from public tertiary institutions at the cost of over ₦24 Billion.

“Let me use this opportunity to specially thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for graciously approving the sum of ₦5 Billion for NRF and ₦8 Billion for provision of Central Multipurpose Laboratories in some Universities across the country among numerous other groundbreaking projects under the 2024 intervention budget.

The minister also highlighted the need to elevate academic publications in Nigeria and reduce reliance on foreign materials through initiatives like the Higher Education Book Development Project.

Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Arc Sonny Echono, who praised the expertise of the committees in driving the implementation of the National Research Fund, noted, “The NRF has awarded 912 research grants totaling ₦24,021,679,195.88 since its inception in 2009, promoting applied research and innovation in public tertiary institutions.”