TETFund makes 12 varsities centres for N12 billion special researches

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has enlisted 12 Nigerian universities to spearhead research and development programmes that would contribute to national growth.

The institutions are: University of Abuja (UNIABUJA); University of Benin (UNIBEN); University of Ibadan (UI); University of Maiduguri (UNIMAD); Bayero University, Kano (BUK); Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Akwa; University of Uyo (UNIUYO); Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike; University of Jos (UNIJOS); University of Lagos (UNILAG); Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) and Uthman Danfodio University, Sokoto.

They were drawn from first, second and third generation universities in the country. Two universities were picked from each geopolitical zone.

Presenting allocation letters and guidelines to vice chancellors of the universities, Executive Secretary of the Fund, Suleiman Bogoro, said the Federal Government graciously approved N1billion as take off grant for each of the universities, totaling N12 billion.

According to the terms of reference, within a five-year period, University of Abuja is expected to blaze the trail as centre of excellence in public governance and leadership.

In the same vein, University of Jos and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University are expected to churn out research in food security, while University of Maiduguri would focus on arid zone research and development and Usman Dan Fodio University Sokoto is to concentrate on urology and nephrology.

Bayero University, Kano would focus on renewable energy, Micheal Okpara University to focus on root crop research and development, Nnamdi Azikiwe University will dwell on agricultural and engineering translational studies.

Also, University of Benin is to focus on aquaculture and food technology, University of Uyo will be for computational intelligence, University of Ibadan was given mandate for multi-disciplinary studies while the University of Lagos will be for biodiversity conservation and eco-system management.

Bogoro said the aim for establishing the centres of excellence is to support strategic and application-oriented research and expertise, with potential industrial applications.

According to Bogoro, the cenres would be expected to support national and global competitive research and development in strategic and applied sciences, including medicine, with the aim of generating innovations.

The 12 pioneer universities are also expected to bring together the complementary resources needed for technical development and industrial application.