The University of Abuja has awarded a total of N5.45 million in research grants to six undergraduate student teams as part of its ongoing commitment to fostering impactful research.
This marks the highest grant disbursement since the initiative’s inception, highlighting the university’s dedication to supporting young scholars in advancing their research endeavors.
The grants were presented on Tuesday during the 6th Undergraduate Research Day, organized by the university’s Centre for Undergraduate Research.
In her address, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Aisha Maikudi emphasized the critical role of research in addressing national challenges and spurring development.
“At the University of Abuja, we are dedicated to creating an environment where curiosity, creativity, and innovation thrive to produce solutions for societal issues,” Maikudi said.
She encouraged students to view research as a powerful tool for change, noting that the theme of the event, ‘Promoting National Development Through Research,’ aligns with the university’s vision for fostering purposeful, solution-oriented inquiry.
The Vice-Chancellor also commended the Centre for Undergraduate Research’s efforts and assured students of continued support. She highlighted the importance of initiatives like this in preparing students to become thought leaders and catalysts for change in their respective fields.
Prof. Taibat Atoyebi, Director of the Centre for Undergraduate Research, explained the rigorous selection process for the grants. “20 student teams initially expressed interest, out of which 13 were shortlisted to submit research proposals,” she said. “Following oral defences, six teams were awarded the grants based on the originality, sustainability, and practicability of their projects.”
The successful projects funded include:
1. Bioactive Compounds from K. pinnata and J. tanjorensis: Isolation, Characterisation, and Evaluation of Anti-anaemic and Hepatoprotective Effects in Rats
2. Assessment of Biosafety and Waste Management Practices in Abattoirs in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
3. Application of Vermitechnology in Solid Waste Management and Sustainable Agriculture
4. Evaluating the Phytochemicals and Antidiabetic Properties of Curry Leaves
5. Using AI and ML to Model Energy Consumption in University of Abuja’s Students’ Hostels: A Macroeconomic Approach
6. Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Properties of Calopogonium Mucunoides and Mitracarpus Species (Rubiaceae) Against Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae