The vice chancellor of University of Abuja (UniAbuja), Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’allah, has revealed that some lecturers of the university have won over N3 billion in grants in 2023, following their applications to donor agencies for research grants.
Na’allah made this known in Abuja during the award ceremony for researchers and authors, held at the main campus of the university.
According to him, the 2023 grant of over N3 billion was a significant improvement compared to the N1 billion won in 2022.
The VC then urged those leading in research in the institution to share their experiences with others in order to bring in more researchers.
“When you have information on grants, share it with others so that more people can participate, this will help the university produce more grant-winning researchers.
“There is no world-class university if there are no world scholars; we must continue to show this nation that a world-class university is achievable and we have achieved it.
“We have made over N3 billion in research grants this year; we are making a mark and we are determined as a university that whatever it will take, we must move forward,” he said.
Na’allah called on scholars to think of how to solve the problems in the nation such as insecurity and leadership among others, through their research work
He said the university is taking the lead in resolving the problem of leadership, adding that it will soon establish a youth leadership clinic.
He said the clinic would help to train young people and prepare them to take over the leadership of Nigeria.
The don assured the researchers that the university would not disappoint them as they continue to put the university on the map through the research grant.
He advised authors to ensure that originality is their main focus, adding that they should be innovative and create new words in their works.
Under the researchers’ cadre, seven persons won gold, two silver and 45 bronze while in the authors cadre, eight persons won gold, nine silver and 27 bronze.
Director, UNIABUJA Centre for Sponsored Projects (CSP), Professor Obiageli Nnodu, earlier said the centre was introduced in 2020 by the vice chancellor.
Nnodu, while appreciating the VC, said that the centre which started small had grown into something big.
She said the researcher category was bringing extra income, adding that researcher income was adding significantly to the revenue of the university.
One of the awardees, Dr Dike Orji, on behalf of other awardees, appreciated the vice chancellor and the university for their support to all scholars and researchers.
Orji said the recipients would continue to put in their best to see that the university grew in terms of research.
(Nigerian Tribune)
