UniAbuja awards N5.45m research grant to six undergraduates

Aisha Maikudi, the vice-chancellor of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja), has presented a cheque of N5.45 million to six undergraduates of the institution.

Maikudi presented the cheque on Tuesday at the sixth Undergraduate Research Day of the university’s Centre for Undergraduate Research.

The theme of the event was “Promoting national development through research”.

The VC said students’ involvement in research prepares them not only for academic excellence but also for contributing meaningfully to the nation’s growth.

“At the University of Abuja, we are committed to fostering an environment where curiosity thrives, creativity flourishes, and innovation leads to solutions for societal challenges,” Maikudi said.

“This commitment aligns perfectly with our theme, promoting national development through research, which calls for purposeful inquiry and actionable outcomes.

“As undergraduates, you are the next generation of thought leaders and change-makers.

“Whether it is in addressing health challenges, advancing technology, enhancing governance, or ensuring sustainability, the solutions to our greatest national issues lie in the quality of ideas that emerge from platforms like this.”

Maikudi commended the Centre for Undergraduate Research for its dedication to nurturing young minds and providing them with the tools to tackle real-world problems.

Taibat Atoyebi, the director of the centre, said 20 groups of students expressed interest in the research grants while 13 teams were shortlisted to submit proposals, with six ultimately selected.

She noted that the six teams presented their proposals and received the grants, which totalled N5,450,000.

Atoyebi added that three students who had previously presented their research proposals during the 4th Research Day were also presenting their final results at this year’s event.

She mentioned that the centre is already accepting applications for the next round of research grants.

The director said a criterion has been revised to emphasise aligning student research with the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs).