Federal University Dutse secures N53m research grants for banditry, mosquito control

The Federal University Dutse, FUD, has secured two research grants totaling N53 million from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, under its National Research Fund, NRF, programme to support research into banditry, kidnapping and mosquito control in Nigeria.

The grants, which will run for 24 months, were awarded to two researchers of the university to develop interventions aimed at addressing security challenges and reducing the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.

Professor Ado Garba Jangargari received N25 million for his research project titled “Tech for Peace: Engaging Northern Pastoralists’ Non-Agricultural Livelihoods to Counter Banditry and Kidnapping.”

The project seeks to explore technology-driven approaches to engaging northern pastoralist communities in alternative livelihoods as part of efforts to address some of the socio-economic factors associated with banditry and kidnapping.

Another N28 million was awarded to Professor Joshua Balogun for a research project titled, “Development of Indoor Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Machine (iCor-SeMa) for Diversionary Control of Mosquitoes in Nigeria.”

The project is expected to investigate an innovative approach to mosquito control through the development of an indoor carbon dioxide sequestration machine designed to divert mosquitoes and potentially reduce human exposure to mosquito bites.

The university said the two grants underscored the growing contribution of its academic researchers to addressing pressing national challenges through scientific research and innovation.

The Vice-Chancellor of FUD, Professor Ahmad Muhammad Gumel, congratulated the two researchers on securing the grants and urged them to ensure timely and effective implementation of their projects.

Mr Gumel advised the researchers to adhere strictly to the approved timelines and objectives of the projects, stressing the importance of translating research outcomes into practical solutions to national challenges.

He said the university was expecting more research grants, following efforts to sensitise academic staff on opportunities available through the TETFund NRF and other local and international funding schemes.

According to him, the university would continue to encourage and support researchers to compete for research funding and undertake studies capable of producing solutions to problems confronting communities and the country.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed optimism that increased access to competitive research grants would further strengthen the university’s research profile and contribute to its academic and developmental objectives.