The Tertiary Education Trust Fund has awarded ₦7.5 billion in research grants to 174 teams drawn from universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across Nigeria under the 2025 National Research Fund Grant Cycle.

TETFund Executive Secretary Sonny Echono announced the awards at a press briefing at the fund's headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, disclosing that individual grants ranged from ₦13.69 million to ₦49.98 million. He said the selection followed a competitive process involving concept note evaluation, full proposal review and physical oral defence sessions before the National Research Fund Screening and Monitoring Committee.

"A total of 174 grants were awarded to various research teams across thematic areas of national priority at a total sum of ₦7.5 billion," he stated.

The Federal University of Technology, Minna, led all institutions with 18 grants, followed by the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, with 11. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, secured 10 grants; the University of Ilorin received 8; Bayero University Kano and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, each received 7; and the University of Jos recorded 6. The University of Ibadan, University of Lagos and Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, each secured 5 grants.

Three new federal universities featured among beneficiaries for the first time: the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia; the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Koroma Saakpenwa; and the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin Ekiti.

State universities among the beneficiaries include Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Ekiti State University, Kwara State University, Adamawa State University, Rivers State University and Sokoto State University.

Polytechnics that received funding include Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Bida, Nekede, Moguno, Ile Oluji and Bauchi, alongside Ramat Polytechnic Maiduguri, Yaba College of Technology, Kaduna Polytechnic and Umaru Ali Shinkafi Polytechnic, Sokoto. Colleges of Education awarded grants are the College of Education, Katsina; Osun State College of Education, Ilesa; and Isa Kaita College of Education, Dutsin Ma.

The grants span priority sectors including health, agriculture, food security, energy, science and engineering, blue economy, national defence, technology, gender inclusion and environmental sustainability.

Echono announced that the 2026 NRF Grant Cycle would commence soon and urged researchers to begin developing concept notes ahead of the next application round.