The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has taken a significant step towards enhancing research capabilities in Nigerian universities by inaugurating an ad-hoc committee responsible for establishing central multipurpose laboratories in selected universities across the country.
The executive secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, presided over the inauguration of the committee in Abuja. Echono emphasized that this initiative is part of TETFund's ongoing efforts to provide essential infrastructure that supports and promotes research activities in Nigeria.
Echono stated, "Thus, it is imperative to make conscious efforts to not only develop our human capital but to also provide research infrastructure to support innovative R&D on a sustainable basis. It is indeed a key prerequisite for accelerated national development and global competitiveness."
Under the National Research Fund (NRF), TETFund has already awarded a total of 727 research grants to researchers in public tertiary institutions, amounting to over N18 billion. These grants have supported applied research projects across various academic disciplines.
One notable observation is that some of the scholars who received NRF grants have encountered challenges in completing their research projects due to the lack of requisite research facilities within their institutions. As a result, they have been compelled to seek access to specific facilities and equipment beyond Nigeria's borders.
The establishment of central multipurpose laboratories in select Nigerian universities seeks to address this gap, ensuring that researchers have access to essential facilities and equipment without the need to cross international borders. This initiative is poised to promote a more conducive environment for research and innovation in the country.
The move underscores the commitment of TETFund to the advancement of research and development in Nigeria and the overall growth and competitiveness of the nation on a global scale.
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