Four academics at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) have secured a combined ₦89.964 million in grants from the National Research Fund (NRF) to undertake research projects targeting unemployment, artificial intelligence in education, healthcare innovation and pharmaceutical development.
The funding, awarded through the NRF’s competitive research grant scheme, underscores the university’s growing reputation as a research-driven institution committed to developing practical solutions to national and global challenges.
Among the beneficiaries is Prof. Omotosho Babatunde Joshua, whose project, “Towards Addressing Unemployment Situation in Nigerian Formal Labour Market,” received ₦19.964 million to explore strategies for tackling unemployment in the country’s formal sector.
Dr. Adeniyi Bolajoko Florence, a Reader in the Department of Educational Management, secured ₦20 million for a study titled “From Chalkboards to Intelligent Systems: Comparative Analysis of Traditional and AI-Driven Teaching in Nigerian Federal Universities for Global Competitiveness.” The research will examine how artificial intelligence can improve teaching and learning outcomes in Nigerian universities.
Also awarded is Dr. Ojo Stephen Kayode, a Reader in the Department of Microbiology, who received ₦21 million for his project on developing innovative cosmetic formulations using fungal melanin to enhance hair growth, preserve hair follicles and manage dandruff.
The highest grant of ₦29 million was awarded to Dr. Adeleye Olutayo Ademola, a Reader in the Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology.
His research focuses on developing a natural remedy delivered through ethosomal hydrogel technology to improve the treatment of diabetic wounds.
The university described the grants as another milestone in its efforts to strengthen research capacity and promote innovation that addresses pressing socio-economic and healthcare issues.
Reacting to the achievement, FUOYE Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, congratulated the four researchers for bringing recognition to the institution through their success in securing competitive national research funding.
He said the awards reflect the high standard of scholarship at the university and reaffirmed the management’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for cutting-edge research, innovation and academic excellence.
According to the vice-chancellor, the success further strengthens FUOYE’s position as a centre of research excellence and demonstrates its increasing ability to attract competitive research grants.
Ogunwole expressed confidence that the projects would generate impactful findings capable of addressing critical national challenges while enhancing the university’s visibility within the global academic community.
The latest achievement reinforces FUOYE’s commitment to advancing research that supports national development, drives innovation and improves Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
