In a move aimed at strengthening research capacity and improving access to national research funding, the College of Medicine at the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia) has organised an in-house training for its academic staff on proposal development under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) National Research Fund (NRF).
The training brought together investigators from the College of Medicine whose concept notes were recently approved under the highly competitive TETFund NRF scheme, a development many participants described as both encouraging and demanding, given the rigorous standards required at the full proposal stage.
Speaking at the session, the Deputy Provost of the College of Medicine, Professor Ishaku Bako, who represented the Provost, Professor Ali Ishaq Shugaba, said the training was organised to help lecturers translate promising research ideas into fundable proposals capable of addressing national health and development challenges. He noted that many strong research concepts often fail at the proposal stage due to technical gaps, stressing that the university was committed to supporting its staff to compete favourably at the national level.
Participants were taken through the practical realities of proposal development, with facilitators emphasising the importance of clear research objectives, sound methodology, realistic budgeting and strong alignment with Nigeria’s research and development priorities. The facilitators also drew attention to common errors that have led to the rejection of otherwise valuable proposals in previous funding cycles.
Beyond technical guidance, the training provided a rare opportunity for younger academics to interact closely with experienced researchers, ask questions and refine their ideas in real time. Some participants said the engagement helped demystify the NRF process and boosted their confidence ahead of final submission.
Facilitators at the training included Professor Mustapher Imam, Dr Usman Yohanna and Professor Amos Ambo, all of whom shared practical insights drawn from years of research and grant-writing experience.
University officials said the initiative reflects FULafia’s growing focus on research-driven medical education, with the expectation that successful NRF proposals would not only advance academic careers but also contribute to improved healthcare delivery, innovation and capacity building within and beyond the university community.
