UNIZIK Ranks 4th Nationally as Seven Researchers Win 2025 TETFund NRF Grants Worth Up to ₦39m Each

Nnamdi Azikiwe University, NAU, Awka, has recorded another major milestone in research excellence, emerging as the fourth-best-performing university in Nigeria in the 2025 National Research Fund, NRF, TETFund Grant cycle.  

The university produced seven successful grant awardees among the 174 beneficiaries nationwide, further reinforcing its growing reputation as a leading centre for cutting-edge research and innovation.  

Presenting the awardees to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, in his office on Thursday, July 2, 2026, the Leader of the delegation and Director of Research and Innovation, Prof. Azubike Ekpunobi, said the researchers secured the highly competitive grants following the successful defence of their proposals in Abuja.  

Prof. Ekpunobi commended the researchers for their exceptional performance, describing the achievement as a clear reflection of the university’s expanding research capacity and commitment to academic excellence. He advocated for improved research infrastructure, including dedicated office spaces and enhanced technical support, noting that such investments would boost research productivity and increase the university’s competitiveness in attracting future grants.  

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, congratulated the awardees for bringing honour to the institution, describing their success as a landmark achievement for Nnamdi Azikiwe University.  

He expressed delight that under his administration, the university has recorded its highest number of NRF TETFund Grant awardees, attributing the feat to the institution’s unwavering commitment to promoting impactful research.  

Prof. Anyaehie charged the beneficiaries to execute their research projects diligently while complying with all timelines and conditions stipulated by the funding agency. He also urged them to uphold the university’s regulations throughout the implementation of their projects.  

Responding to the request for additional research office space, the Vice-Chancellor explained that several available spaces had already been committed to other institutional needs, but assured the researchers of the university’s continued support in providing an enabling environment for quality research and innovation.  

The ceremony climaxed with the formal presentation of grant award certificates to the seven successful researchers.  

In attendance were the Deputy Director of Research and Innovation, Dr. Chika Anthony Okonkwo, and other officials of the Directorate of Research and Innovation.  

The event highlighted Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s sustained commitment to research excellence and its steady rise as one of Nigeria’s foremost institutions in attracting competitive national research funding.