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 producing seven successful grant awardees among the 174 beneficiaries nationwide.
The achievement further strengthens the university’s reputation as a leading centre for research and innovation in Nigeria.
The beneficiaries are Prof. Ikwuka Obiageli, Prof. Kingsley Nwosu, Prof. Maryjane Iloameke, Prof. Chilota Efobi, Prof. Uchechukwu Dimkpa, Dr. Adaobi Obidiebube and Dr. Nkem Okoye.
The researchers recently paid a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, following the successful defence of their research proposals in Abuja, where they secured the highly competitive grants.
Leading the delegation, the Director of Research and Innovation, Prof. Azubike Ekpunobi, formally presented the awardees to the Vice-Chancellor, who later presented them with their grant award certificates.
Prof. Ekpunobi disclosed that UNIZIK ranked fourth nationally in the 2025 NRF TETFund Grant cycle, with individual grant awards ranging from ₦25 million to ₦39 million.
He commended the researchers for their outstanding performance, describing the feat as evidence of the university’s growing research capacity and commitment to academic excellence.
He also called for improved research infrastructure, including dedicated office spaces and enhanced technical support, noting that such investments would boost research productivity and improve the institution’s competitiveness in securing future grants.
Congratulating the awardees, the Vice-Chancellor described their success as a landmark achievement for the university.
Prof. Anyaehie expressed satisfaction that the institution recorded its highest number of NRF TETFund Grant recipients under his administration, attributing the milestone to the university’s sustained commitment to promoting impactful research.
He urged the beneficiaries to execute their research projects diligently, adhere strictly to the timelines and conditions set by the funding agency, and 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 available spaces had already been allocated to other institutional needs but assured the researchers of the university’s continued support in providing an enabling environment for quality research and innovation.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that the ceremony concluded with the formal presentation of grant award certificates to the seven successful researchers.
