Two lecturers from the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Margaret Ilomuanya and Mutiat Bolanle Ibrahim, have been awarded N900 million grants by the Grand Challenges Africa (GC Africa) initiative.
The grants, totaling over US$600,000, mark a pivotal moment in African research as the scholars embark on innovative projects addressing critical challenges in health and agriculture.
Dr. Ilomuanya, affiliated with the Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, secured a substantial grant of US$359,100 for her groundbreaking project titled “The Cervical Mucus Barrier as a Target for Artificial Neural Network Inspired Novel Blends of Electrospun Scaffolds.” This project aims to develop a revolutionary contraceptive device mimicking the natural cervical mucus barrier, with the potential to prevent unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.
Simultaneously, Ibrahim, associated with the Department of Pharmacognosy, received a grant of US$259,801.30 for her research titled “Characterisation of Herbal Bioactive for the Development of Spermicides for Female Contraception.”
Her project focuses on identifying and characterizing herbal compounds that could serve as spermicides, offering a safe, effective, and affordable alternative to traditional contraceptives.
Both researchers stand among the distinguished 11 African scholars announced on Monday, February 12, 2024, as recipients of key grants under the GC Africa initiative. This flagship program, spearheaded by the Science for Africa Foundation with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, seeks to catalyze transformative research addressing pressing challenges in health and agriculture on the African continent.
The initiatives of Ilomuanya and Ibrahim promise groundbreaking contributions to the advancement of healthcare and agriculture in Africa, reflecting the potential for impactful innovations within the UNILAG academic community.
