UNIZIK Ranks Fourth Nationally as Seven Researchers Secure 2025 NRF TETFund Grants

Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has emerged as the fourth-best-performing university in Nigeria in the 2025 National Research Fund (NRF) TETFund Grant cycle after seven of its researchers secured competitive research grants.

The achievement places the university among the country's leading research institutions, with seven successful awardees out of the 174 beneficiaries nationwide.

The researchers paid a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, on July 2, 2026, following the successful defence of their research proposals in Abuja.

During the visit, the Director of Research and Innovation, Prof. Azubike Ekpunobi, formally presented the researchers to the Vice-Chancellor, who subsequently presented them with their grant award certificates.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Ekpunobi disclosed that the university ranked fourth nationally in the 2025 NRF TETFund Grant cycle, with individual grant awards ranging from ₦25 million to ₦39 million.

The beneficiaries are Prof. Ikwuka Obiageli, Prof. Kingsley Nwosu, Prof. Iloameke Maryjane, Prof. Chilota Efobi, Prof. Dimkpa Uchechukwu, Dr. Obidiebube Adaobi and Dr. Nkem Okoye.

He congratulated the researchers for their outstanding performance, describing the feat as evidence of the university's growing research capacity and commitment to academic excellence.

Prof. Ekpunobi also called for improved research infrastructure, including dedicated office spaces and enhanced technical support, noting that such investments would strengthen research productivity and improve the university's ability to attract more competitive grants.

In his remarks, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Anyaehie congratulated the award recipients, describing their success as a landmark achievement for the institution.

He expressed satisfaction that the university had recorded its highest number of NRF TETFund Grant awardees under his administration, attributing the achievement to its sustained investment in impactful research.

The Vice-Chancellor urged the beneficiaries to implement their research projects diligently while complying with all timelines and conditions set by the funding agency.

Responding to requests for additional research office space, Prof. Anyaehie explained that available facilities had already been allocated to other institutional needs but assured the researchers of the university's continued commitment to providing an enabling environment for quality research and innovation.

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

Also 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 development further reinforces Nnamdi Azikiwe University's growing reputation as one of Nigeria's leading universities for research excellence and competitive national research funding.