(FUOYE. Photo Credit: Punch News)
Four academics at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti have secured a total of N89.964m in National Research Fund grants from the Federal Government to undertake research projects aimed at tackling unemployment, improving education, advancing pharmaceutical innovation and addressing healthcare challenges.
The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Monday.
According to the statement, the researchers emerged successful in the highly competitive National Research Fund selection process.
Among the beneficiaries is Prof. Omotosho Joshua, who secured N19.964m for his project titled “Towards Addressing Unemployment Situation in Nigerian Formal Labour Market.”
Also awarded was Dr Adeniyi Florence, a Reader in the Department of Educational Management, who received N20m for her study, “From Chalkboards to Intelligent Systems: Comparative Analysis of Traditional and AI-Driven Teaching in Nigerian Federal Universities for Global Competitiveness.”
Dr Ojo Kayode, a Reader in the Department of Microbiology, was awarded N21m for his research on developing innovative cosmetic formulations using fungal melanin for hair growth enhancement, follicle preservation and dandruff management.
Similarly, Dr Adeleye Ademola, a Reader in the Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, secured N29m for his project titled “Combating Diabetic Wounds Using Natural Remedy with Ethosomal Hydrogel Topical Delivery.”
Congratulating the beneficiaries, Ogunwole described the grants as proof of the calibre of scholarship at the university and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting cutting-edge research, noting that the awards demonstrate the quality of scholarship within the university and that management remains dedicated to fostering an environment conducive to innovative research and academic excellence.
He added that the achievement further highlighted FUOYE’s growing standing as a research-driven institution, stating that the feat reinforces the university’s rising profile as a hub of research excellence, while expressing confidence that the projects would yield impactful solutions to pressing national challenges and boost the university’s visibility on the global stage.