Federal University Gets N53m TETFund Grants For Research Into

The Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State, has secured two research grants totalling N53 million from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund to develop solutions to banditry in northern Nigeria and the spread of mosquitoes across the country.

The grants were awarded under the TETFund National Research Fund, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the university’s Acting Director of Public Affairs, Abdullahi Yahaya.

Yahaya said the funding would support two research projects targeting insecurity and public health challenges.

He said Professor Ado Jangargari would lead the N25 million research project titled, “Tech for Peace: Engaging Northern Pastoralists in Non-Agricultural Livelihoods to Counter Banditry and Kidnapping.”

The project seeks to explore the use of technology and alternative livelihoods to engage pastoralist communities in northern Nigeria as part of efforts to address banditry and kidnapping.

The second project, which received N28 million, will be led by Professor Joshua Balogun.

It is titled, “Development of Indoor Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Machine (iCor-SeMa) for Diversionary Control of Mosquitoes in Nigeria.”

According to the university, the research is aimed at developing a technology capable of controlling mosquitoes indoors and helping to curb the spread of mosquito-borne diseases across Nigeria.

Both projects are expected to run for 24 months.

Yahaya quoted the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ahmad Gumel, as congratulating the two researchers on securing the grants and urging them to ensure timely execution of the projects.

“Prof. Gumel charged them to ensure timely execution and quality delivery of the research,” the statement said.

The Vice-Chancellor also expressed optimism that the university would secure more research grants, noting that academic staff had been sensitised on opportunities available through the NRF and other funding platforms.

Yahaya said the university management remained committed to supporting research projects capable of addressing critical national challenges.

He added that the institution would closely monitor the implementation of the two projects to ensure compliance with TETFund requirements and delivery of their intended objectives.

“We expect outcomes that will benefit not only Jigawa but the entire country,” the Acting Director said.