By Nnasom David

Ten undergraduate students from the University of Abuja have been awarded a total of ₦3.77 million in research grants to pursue innovative projects across agriculture, engineering, science, and veterinary medicine.

The announcement was made during the university’s 3rd Undergraduate Research Day, held on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, and organized by the Center for Undergraduate Research (CUR).

The event marked a major milestone in the university’s commitment to nurturing young researchers and promoting solution-driven inquiry.

This year’s grant recipients represent four faculties, with the Faculty of Agriculture leading the pack. Among the awardees is Joel Emmanuel Benson, whose project involves the development of a food technology software titled “No Hunger App.”

Other recipients include Matthew Friday and Elijah Asariwo, who are researching the formulation of a garlic-based seed dressing fungicide; Babalola Matthew and Blessing Chukwu, whose study focuses on the performance of Noiler chickens fed maize cob and groundnut shell mash; Owolabi Fuhad Nurudeen and Festus Adetifa Ayodeji, who are exploring mushroom farming as a food security strategy in Gwagwalada; and Ojewole Grace Oluwaseun, whose work centers on sustainable fertilizer formulation using biomass accumulators and indigenous organic sources.

From the Faculty of Engineering, Onigbinde Colins Oluwaseun and his team are developing an autonomous surveillance system to secure large, unbounded spaces against intrusion.

In the Faculty of Science, Ibrahim Dauda Abdulrahman is working on a blockchain-based electronic document management system tailored for the University of Abuja.

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine produced three awardees: Suleiman Ridwan Olarewaju and Olajimbiti Christiana Ololade, who are assessing heavy metal risks in pond-raised catfish; Aiyedero Mercy Oluwaseun and Halima Muhammed, who are analyzing the hygienic conditions of campus food canteens; and Isa Adam Olamide and Okunola Basit Oyebanji, who are investigating toxic compounds in raw and roasted meat sold around the university.

Dr Taibat Atoyebi, Director of the Center for Undergraduate Research, revealed that 46 student groups applied for the grant, with 25 shortlisted and 10 selected after a rigorous multi-phase screening process.

She emphasized the center’s mission to build a generation of researchers capable of addressing national challenges through the quadruple helix model — academia, government, industry, and society.

She also expressed gratitude to the mentors who have guided students through the research journey, noting that their impact is shaping the future of science in Nigeria.

Professor Ukertor Gabriel Moti, Dean of Postgraduate Studies and guest speaker at the event, encouraged students to align their research with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

In his keynote address titled “Research and Mentorship: A Pathway to Economic Growth,” he stressed the importance of creativity, mentorship, and the dissemination of findings.

He urged students to ensure their research is relevant to industry and capable of driving innovation, service delivery, and policy reform.

One of the awardees, Isa Adam Olamide, expressed deep appreciation to Dr. Taibat Atoyebi and her team for their dedication and transparency throughout the selection process.

He also thanked the university management and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, for making the funds available. Isa paid special tribute to his mentor, Dr. Usende Ifukibot Levi, a senior lecturer in Veterinary Anatomy and renowned environmental toxicologist.

He described Dr. Usende as “a gift to students, a mentor to many mentees; a seasoned neuroscience and environmental (heavy metal) toxicity researcher and a science advocate who is committed to student capacity development.

Isa noted that Dr. Usende’s in many of his studies published in reputable journals have shown reproductive hormones imbalance, germ cell apoptosis, abnormal sperm morphophenotypes and ultrastructural changes in testis; biochemical and ultrastructural changes in kidney and liver; oxidative stress changes in selected organs including the brain; and severe clinicopathological alterations, hepato-renal toxicity and cytogenotoxicity in African giant rats (Cricetomys gambianus) exposed to vanadium.

He has also received many national and international awards and grants including grants from prestigious ISN, IBRO and TETFund and has mentored many students in the progress of grant writing, accusation of the research grants and execution of the proposed projects.

He proudly stated that he is the fifth student under Dr. Usende’s mentorship to receive the CUR grant since its inception and that every year, at-least one of Dr Usende’s students gets the grant” – said Isa Adam Olamide.

Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Yusuf Baba Abubakar, Chairman of the University Research Council, reiterated the university’s commitment to cultivating research interest among youth.

He emphasized the importance of catching students early and building partnerships with industry to expand sponsorship opportunities.

He also commended the mentors for their role in shaping the next generation of researchers.

The event was attended by industry partners, including representatives from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), and Asolar Energy Systems.

Their presence underscored the growing interest in university-industry collaboration and the potential of student-led research to drive national development.

The 3rd Undergraduate Research Day was more than a celebration — it was a declaration of intent. The University of Abuja is investing in its brightest minds, empowering them to solve societal problems, and positioning itself as a hub for innovation, mentorship, and academic excellence.

Similarly, Dr Oluwa Adikpe Agbonu, an Associate Professor of Veterinary Physiology at the University of Abuja, also demonstrated his commitment to academic excellence and mentorship with over 12 years of teaching and research experience in the Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry.

Agbonu has consistently contributed to the development of young scholars across undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels.

In the 2023 edition of the Centre for Undergraduate Research (CUR) grant — a highly competitive research funding opportunity, Dr Agbonu mentored two undergraduate students, Simon Chukwudi Okonkwo and Jeremiah Taiwo Oguntona, to a remarkable victory.

“Their winning research project, titled “Effects of Ethanol Leaf Extract of Psidium guajava on Blood Pressure and Other Physiologic Parameters of Guinea Pigs,” was successfully executed and has since been published in Volume 7, Issue 1 of the Journal of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, a reputable academic outlet in the field,” he said.

Agbonu’s research interests span across reproductive, digestive, environmental, and neurophysiology.

He has previously secured and completed the TETFund Institution-Based Research Grant, with results published in peer-reviewed journals.

In addition to his research and teaching responsibilities, he has served as Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Examination officer and an internal/external examiner to numerous postgraduate students across various universities, further underlining his influence and recognition within the academic community.

Agbonu’s dedication to mentorship and research continues to inspire the next generation of scientists, solidifying his role as a pillar of academic excellence at the University of Abuja.