Federal Government approves N5 billion for research in universities, others

The Federal Government has approved N5 billion to boost research activities in Nigerian universities and tertiary institutions.

The allocation, which is part of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) 2019 intervention budget, remains the highest ever disbursement to the National Research Fund (NRF).

Speaking yesterday at the inauguration of the National Research Fund Screening and Monitoring Committee, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Prof. Elias Bogoro, Sulieman Bogoro, stated that a seed fund of N3 billion was approved by the Board of Trustees in 2011 for the initial take-off of NRF activities, to which N1 billion was added in 2015.

He explained that the funds are to catalyse cutting-edge research in three thematic areas of science, technology and innovation; humanities and social Sciences; as well as cross cutting disciplines.