The Federal Government has approved a grant of ₦4.2 billion for 158 research projects under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) National Research Fund (NRF) 2024 grant cycle.
Additionally, the government has disbursed no less than ₦22.7 billion in student loans to 215,514 students enrolled in universities and other higher institutions across the country, as of August 2025.
Speaking at the official unveiling of a 21-year pioneering research project in Psychology and Life Management conducted by Professor Vivian Kosoko Mottohmigan, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to fostering research and innovation.
Represented by the Director of Public Affairs, Effiong Abia, the SGF noted that Professor Kosoko’s research marks a transformative step in understanding human behaviour, personal development, and life management. He described the study as a significant contribution to national development, particularly in areas such as mental resilience, decision-making, and productivity.
Akume, a former governor of Benue State, stressed that expertise in this emerging field could have broad applications in critical sectors including the economy, food security, human capacity development, national security, and leadership selection.
Highlighting the administration’s broader strategy, he noted that some of the funded research areas span Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation, Humanities, and Social Sciences. He also announced the establishment of 18 innovation and entrepreneurship hubs across various tertiary institutions nationwide.
On higher education funding, the SGF recalled the 2024 establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), through which over ₦22.7 billion has been disbursed in institutional student loans to more than 215,000 students as of August 2025.
“These initiatives reflect a multidimensional commitment to advancing applied research aligned with national priorities, accelerating innovation and entrepreneurship, expanding access to higher education, and strengthening digital and technical capacities,” he said.
He urged researchers to maximise these funding opportunities and make impactful contributions to national development.
In a goodwill message, Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, praised Professor Kosoko’s academic leadership and innovation, describing her career as a beacon of professionalism and excellence.
According to him, the research offers meaningful insights into both challenges and opportunities in the education sector, while proposing practical solutions and future-oriented perspectives that will benefit generations to come.
In her remarks, Prof. Kosoko expressed optimism that her work would also contribute to Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings, underscoring the national and international relevance of her findings.
