Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti (), has recorded a major research milestone following the award of a combined ₦72.4 million under the 2026 Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) National Research Fund intervention, further strengthening its growing reputation as a hub for academic innovation in Nigeria.
The development marks a historic moment for the institution as two of its professors successfully secured competitive national research grants in a single funding cycle an achievement the university described as unprecedented in its academic history.
It also represents EKSU’s third consecutive success in the TETFund National Research Fund scheme, following earlier recognitions in the 2023 and 2024/2025 cycles, signalling sustained research excellence and institutional consistency.
According to official details, the grants were awarded under two separate thematic clusters targeting national development priorities such as environmental sustainability, healthcare innovation, and scientific advancement.
The first recipient, Professor (Mrs.) Idowu Eunice Opeyemi of the Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, secured ₦44.8 million under the Cross-Cutting Cluster (NRF/CC/BEC/0054).
Her research is titled: “Investigation and Bioremediation of Microplastics in Fish, Water and Sediments from Reservoirs across the Six Geopolitical Zones in Nigeria,” a project aimed at addressing the growing environmental threat posed by plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems.
The second beneficiary, Professor Christopher Rotimi Falegan of the Department of Microbiology, received ₦27.6 million under the Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation (SETI) Cluster (NRF/SETI/HSW/00148).
His project, “Development and Evaluation of Seaweed-Derived Polysaccharide Gels for Wound Healing and Skin Repair Applications,” focuses on biomedical innovation and the development of sustainable healthcare solutions derived from natural resources.
The grants form part of a broader ₦7.5 billion TETFund National Research Fund intervention approved by the Federal Government to support 174 research projects across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education nationwide.
The selected projects are strategically aligned with Nigeria’s national development priorities, including renewable energy, environmental management, food security, waste recycling, and advanced medical research.
Reacting to the achievement, the Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Professor Joseph Babatola Ayodele, described the dual success as a strong validation of the institution’s commitment to impactful research and global competitiveness.
“The success of our scholars in this highly competitive grant cycle is a reflection of EKSU’s growing reputation for excellence in research and innovation,” he said. “We are proud of this achievement, which reinforces our position as a leading institution committed to solving real-world problems.”
Professor Ayodele congratulated the awardees and commended the entire university community for sustaining a culture of academic productivity and innovation-driven scholarship.
He further assured that the university would continue to strengthen its research ecosystem by providing enabling infrastructure, mentorship, and institutional support for scholars to compete favourably at national and international levels.
“This administration remains committed to creating an environment where research thrives and where our academics can contribute meaningfully to national development,” he added.
University stakeholders have also described the development as a morale booster for staff and students, noting that such achievements enhance the institution’s visibility and credibility in the global academic space.
Analysts say the latest breakthrough places EKSU among Nigerian universities consistently demonstrating research competitiveness, particularly in areas directly linked to environmental and health challenges.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with issues such as pollution, healthcare delivery gaps, and technological underdevelopment, the contributions of academic institutions like EKSU are increasingly being viewed as critical to shaping sustainable solutions.
The latest TETFund success is therefore seen not only as an institutional milestone but also as a broader contribution to national development through knowledge-driven innovation.
