By Godfrey AKON
The University of Abuja has awarded research grants worth N5.45 million to six undergraduate research teams.
The move, which is part of efforts to foster impactful research among young scholars and empower them to address pressing societal challenges, sets a record for the highest grant disbursement since the programme’s inception.
The research project involves different fields, showcasing the students’ creativity and problem-solving potential.
Some of the notable projects include:
Bioactive Compounds from K. pinnata and J. tanjorensis: Isolation, Characterisation, and Evaluation of Anti-anaemic and Hepatoprotective Effects in Rats, among others.
While presenting the grants during the 6th Undergraduate Research Day, organized by the university’s Centre for Undergraduate Research, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aisha Maikudi, emphasized the transformative power of research in national development.
“At the University of Abuja, we are committed to cultivating an environment where curiosity, creativity, and innovation thrive, enabling our students to develop solutions to societal problems,” she said.
Maikudi urged students to see research as a vital tool for driving change and contributing to Nigeria’s growth.
She praised the event’s theme, ‘Promoting National Development Through Research,’ as perfectly aligned with the university’s mission of purposeful, solution-driven inquiry.
She also commended the Centre for Undergraduate Research for its dedication and assured the university’s continued support for such initiatives, noting that they prepare students to become future thought leaders and innovators.
Also speaking, the Director of the Centre, Prof. Taibat Atoyebi, provided insights into the grant selection process.
Atoyebi revealed that 20 student teams initially expressed interest, with 13 shortlisted to submit detailed proposals.
After oral defenses, six teams were selected based on the originality, sustainability, and practicability of their projects.
The initiative highlights the university’s commitment to nurturing a culture of research and innovation among its students, equipping them to make significant contributions to their communities and beyond.
