Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has intensified efforts to strengthen its research capacity and improve its success in the TETFund National Research Fund (NRF), as the Directorate of Research and Innovation, in conjunction with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), organised a one-day workshop on winning the TETFund National Research Fund and Innovation Fair.
The workshop, titled “Winning the TETFund National Research Fund and Innovation Fair,” featured experts and NRF Principal Investigators who provided participants with practical guidance on securing research funding, developing competitive proposals and translating research into innovations with societal and commercial value.
Declaring the workshop open, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Anyaehie, reaffirmed the University’s commitment to building a greater UNIZIK through research and innovation, stressing that universities must develop solutions to societal challenges. He noted that the University had improved its performance in the National Research Fund and expressed optimism that the current research drive would yield even better results.
The Vice-Chancellor highlighted some of the University’s research and innovation initiatives, including efforts to develop biodegradable sachet water, drone technology for oil pipeline surveillance, locally produced metering systems, lithium batteries for electric vehicles and the conversion of plastic waste into useful products. He also disclosed plans for a talent hunt aimed at identifying innovative ideas beyond the conventional university community and transforming such ideas into practical solutions.
Earlier, the Director, Research and Innovation, Prof. Azubike Josiah Ekpunobi, said the workshop was designed to equip researchers with the skills required to succeed in national research funding competitions. He said the programme would cover concept-note development, proposal writing, collaboration, the review process, intellectual property rights and innovation development.
Prof. Ekpunobi noted that about 92 UNIZIK researchers were involved in the last NRF cycle through various research teams, expressing the hope that the University would improve its performance in the current cycle and secure more awards. He also announced the forthcoming second TETFund International Research Fair, where selected innovations from the University would be showcased.
In his keynote address, the former Vice-Chancellor of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Prof. Chinedum U. Nwajiuba, urged researchers to intensify their research activities and improve the visibility of the University in national and international rankings. Speaking on “Winning the TETFund National Research Fund and Innovation Fair,” he stressed the need for researchers to focus on clearly defined problems and develop solutions capable of addressing societal needs.
Prof. Nwajiuba also encouraged researchers to participate in the second TETFund National Research Fair and Exhibition scheduled for November 24–27, 2026, at the Abuja Trade and Convention Centre. On the 2026 NRF Concept Note call, he advised prospective applicants to study the guidelines carefully, follow instructions strictly, build diverse research teams involving younger academics and mentees, assign clear responsibilities to team members and work collaboratively within their institutions as these would help their Concept Notes stand out and increase their eligibility.
He cautioned that concept notes could be disqualified for violating prescribed requirements, including submitting budgets outside the approved range of ₦5,000,001 to ₦70 million, exceeding the 1,500-word limit, submission by barred or non-beneficiary institutions, submission by Vice-Chancellors, or PIs who had not closed out their previous grants, among others.
