Ahmadu Bello University Researchers Receive N24.5 Million Seed Grant

Five researchers from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) have been awarded a total of N24,520,330 as seed grants by the Africa Centre of Excellence for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology (ACENTDFB).

The recipients, who were selected from 21 applicants, are from the departments of Biochemistry, Zoology, and Glass and Silicate Technology. They will use the grants to fund research projects focused on developing innovative solutions for neglected tropical diseases and forensic biotechnology.

The Vice-Chancellor of ABU, Professor Kabiru Bala, presented the seed grant award letters to the recipients during a ceremony held at the university. He congratulated the awardees and commended the centre for its efforts in promoting research and innovation.

The Centre Leader, Professor Y.K.E. Ibrahim, explained that the seed grant is a competitive award that aims to support researchers in developing innovative ideas and solutions. He emphasized that the grant funds must be used exclusively for the purposes outlined in the proposals.

The recipients and their research projects are:

- Professor Emmanuel O. Balogun - "Development of Novel Toxoplasmosis Prototype Kit (ToxoRap) for Commercialisation" (N4,998,980)

- Dr. Yusuf Wada - "Development of a Point-of-Care (POC) Lateral Flow Test Strips (LFTSs) for the Simultaneous Detection of Malaria and Typhoid Fever" (N4,990,000)

- Umar Aliyu Umar - "Development of Novel Phytomedicine for Treatment of Urogenital Schistosomiasis" (N4,950,000)

- Umar Saidu - "Development of Botanical Molluscicide for the Control of Snail Intermediate Host of Schistosomiasis" (N4,975,850)

- Professor Adele Dzikwi Garkida - "Upscaling Glass and Granite Wastes Composite as Alternative to Porcelain Body for Developing High Performance Electrical Insulators" (N4,605,500)

The seed grant is for a period of six months and will be disbursed in two installments.