Four academics of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) have secured a total of ₦89.964 million in National Research Fund (NRF) grants to undertake innovative research projects aimed at addressing critical national and global challenges.

The successful beneficiaries are Prof. Omotosho Babatunde Joshua, whose research project, “Towards Addressing Unemployment Situation in Nigerian Formal Labour Market,” received a grant of ₦19,964,000.

Also among the awardees is Dr Adeniyi Bolajoko Florence, a Reader in the Department of Educational Management, who secured ₦20,000,000 for her research titled, “From Chalkboards to Intelligent Systems: Comparative Analysis of Traditional and AI-Driven Teaching in Nigerian Federal Universities for Global Competitiveness.”

Dr Ojo Stephen Kayode, a Reader in the Department of Microbiology, was awarded ₦21,000,000 for his project, “Development of Innovative Cosmetic Formulations Using Fungal Melanin for Hair Growth Enhancement, Follicle Preservation, and Dandruff Management.”

Similarly, Dr Adeleye Olutayo Ademola, a Reader in the Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, secured ₦29,000,000 for his research titled, “Combating Diabetic Wounds Using Natural Remedy with Ethosomal Hydrogel Topical Delivery.”

The grants highlight FUOYE’s steady rise as a research-focused university, with its scholars driving innovation and providing practical solutions to some of the country’s pressing socio-economic and healthcare challenges.

Reacting to the development, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof. Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, commended the four academic staff for bringing honour to the institution through their outstanding research achievements. He described the grants as an evidence to the quality of scholarship in the university. He reaffirmed the management’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for cutting-edge research, innovation, and academic excellence.

The Vice-Chancellor noted that the feat further reflects FUOYE’s rising profile as a centre of research excellence, expressing confidence that the projects would produce impactful findings capable of addressing pressing national challenges and enhancing the university’s global visibility.

Professor Ogunwole described the grants as a clear reflection of the high-quality research being carried out at the university.

The achievements further highlight the university’s increasing success in attracting competitive national research funding and reinforce its commitment to promoting impactful research that contributes to national development and global competitiveness