The Directorate of Research and Development, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, has organised a one-day workshop on National Research Fund (NRF) isGrantsmanship 2026 to strengthen the capacity of academic staff in developing competitive research proposals and accessing national and international funding opportunities.

Declaring the workshop open, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Professor Mohammed Aliyu Bello, said the workshop demonstrated the University’s commitment to strengthening its research capacity and positioning the Institution to compete more effectively for competitive research grants.

He emphasised that while a good research idea is important, the ability to transform it into a well-conceived, compelling and fundable proposal is equally essential in today’s competitive research environment.

The Vice-Chancellor further said IBBUL had continued to record encouraging growth in research activities, including participation in TETfund supported programmes and other national and international research initiatives.

Professor Sulaiman appreciated the key resource person, Professor Muhammad Aliyu Paiko, Vice-Chancellor of Abdulkadir Kure University, Minna as well as other resource persons, facilitators and participants for honouring the invitation.

He expressed confidence that the workshop would contribute to improving the University’s research funding success, strengthening its research capacity and enhancing its contribution to national and global development.

In his welcome remarks, the Coordinating Director, Directorate of Research and Development, Professor Lawal Alimi Folorunso, said the 2026 Grantsmanship Workshop was organised against the backdrop of the increasingly bcompetitive research funding landscape, particularly the TETfund National Research Fund (NRF), which receives about 4,000 concept notes annually for fewer than 200 available slots.

He noted that the high level of competition makes excellence, relevance and national impact critical to securing research funding, stressing that many researchers with good ideas often lose out at the concept-note stage due to poor presentation, misalignment with thematic areas and weak multidisciplinary teams.

Professor Folorunso said the workshop was therefore designed to demystify the NRF concept-note and full-proposal processes while equipping participants with practical skills for developing competitive and fundable research proposals.

He explained that the facilitators were carefully selected from among previous NRF beneficiaries to ensure that the training was practical and experience-based rather than purely theoretical, urging participants to take the workshop serious.

In his keynote address, the Vice-Chancellor of Abdulkadir Kure University, Minna, Professor Mohammed Aliyu Paiko, challenged researchers at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai, to improve their performance in the National Research Fund (NRF), saying the University has a strong foundation and the expertise needed to attract significantly more research funding.

He recalled that grantsmanship in the Institution was pioneered by Professor N.G. Obaji, who was among the first researchers to secure TETFund NRF funding and subsequently mentored other academics in grant writing.

Professor Mohammed Aliyu Paiko further stressed that researchers must ensure that the problems their proposed projects seek to address are significant, relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and aligned with the priorities of the funding agency.

He said competence was equally critical, as researchers must demonstrate through relevant publications, previous projects and expertise that they possess the capacity to solve the problem they are presenting.

He also emphasised the importance of assembling competent and multidisciplinary research teams, noting that every member must have a clearly defined and relevant role in solving the identified problem. He explained that successful research proposals require expertise from different fields where necessary, citing examples where disciplines such as history, sociology, agricultural economics, microbiology, food science and other specialised areas could determine the success and sustainability of a research project. Professor Paiko further advised researchers to carefully consider the appropriate funding source, timing, project scope, funding limit and amount being requested before submitting proposals. He urged academics to determine whether they were targeting the right funder, proposing the right project, applying at the right time, requesting the right amount and presenting the request in the right manner. He stressed that researchers should begin preparing well ahead of funding calls rather than rushing to develop proposals shortly before submission deadlines, noting that quality research proposals require adequate planning, collaboration and preparation.

In his closing remarks, the Registrar, Alhaji Idris Saleh Kusherki, represented by the Academic Secretary, Malam Adamu Isah, challenged researchers to make the most of the workshop by listening attentively, engaging the resource persons and asking questions on areas where clarification was needed.

He noted that the practical knowledge and guidance provided during the workshop could significantly strengthen researchers’ capacity to prepare compelling and competitive proposals, thereby increasing the university’s prospects of attracting research grants and expanding its research impact.

The Senate of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai, has approved the revised 2025/2026 academic calendar, following exhaustive deliberations at its 24th Emergency Meeting, with the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Professor Sheikh Abdullah, in attendance, urging Staff and Management to strengthen dialogue, unity and industrial harmony.

The revised Calendar, presented by the Director of Academic Planning, Professor Kabir Muhammad Adamu, was carefully considered by members before receiving Senate approval.

The decision is expected to provide a clear framework for the continuation of academic activities and completion of the 2025/2026 session.

In his opening remarks, Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of Senate, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, welcomed the Pro-Chancellor to the expanded Senate session and sought members’ approval for him to address the Senate after consideration of the Calendar.

He said the Pro-Chancellor’s experience would be valuable in strengthening cooperation between Management, Senate and the University’s in-house
unions.

Professor Sulaiman disclosed that the Pro-Chancellor was scheduled to meet with the leadership of the in-house unions to engage them on issues affecting the University and explore possible solutions.

He expressed optimism that the engagements would further consolidate peace and stability at IBBUL and position the Institution for sustained development in the years ahead.

Speaking to the Senate, Professor Abdullah commended both Academic and Non-Academic staff for their dedication and collective efforts in maintaining a stable environment for teaching, learning and administration.

He said the progress of the University depended largely on the ability of Management, Senate, Unions and other stakeholders to work together rather than operate in isolation.

The Pro-Chancellor urged stakeholders to avoid ego, division and unnecessary confrontation, stressing the importance of dialogue and collective bargaining in resolving differences. He described the Senate as the “centre of gravity” of the University and called on all stakeholders to preserve its integrity while working together to advance the institution.

Professor Abdullah also challenged staff to distinguish themselves through their contributions, professionalism and conduct, rather than relying solely on academic or administrative titles.

He urged the University community to pursue excellence and compete positively with other institutions while avoiding conflicts that could undermine the stability and development of IBBUL.

Forty-one medical students of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai, who were transferred to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, have made history as the first set since the establishment of the University’s College of Health Sciences to pass their professional medical examinations without a single resit, thereby breaking a 33-year academic record.

The Vice-Chancellor of IBBUL, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, disclosed this while receiving the students who returned from ABU Zaria after completing the transfer programme, describing their success as a major milestone for the College of Health Sciences, the University and Niger State Government.

Professor Sulaiman said the achievement was particularly significant because information conveyed to him from Zaria indicated that, it was the first time an entire set of students transferred from another University had passed at ABU Zaria. “This is the first time that a whole set has passed in ABU. You have broken a 33-year record,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor commended the Niger State Government, particularly the Visitor and Governor, Farmer Umar Mohammed Bago, for providing the financial support that enabled the students to undertake the programme at ABU Zaria. He said the government’s intervention, which included funding for the students’ fees and accommodation, demonstrated confidence in the Institution and its students.

Professor Sulaiman also disclosed that the Governor had approved several interventions aimed at strengthening the University’s College of Health Sciences and teaching hospital infrastructure.

According to him, the approvals include the upgrading of the University Guest House, upgrading of General Hospital, Minna and partial completion of the permanent IBBUL Teaching Hospital at the Shiroro Hotel site, among others.

He also encouraged the students to remain humble, respect their lecturers, continue studying hard and eventually consider returning to IBBUL to contribute to teaching, research and clinical services after completing their professional careers.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Professor Aliyu Abubakar, commended the Vice-Chancellor, for creating the necessary academic environment and providing the support that enabled the 41 medical students to excel in their professional examinations at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Contributing, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Professor Mohammed Aliyu Bello urged them not to become overconfident, stressing that their achievement marked only the beginning of a demanding journey in medicine.

Appreciating the Visitor, the pioneer MBBS Class President, Comrade Jamilu Mikayilu, expressed gratitude for the support that enabled the 41 students to successfully complete their medical training at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

He described the achievement as a moment of both joy and mixed emotions as they prepared to continue their medical education away from their home institution, recalling the initial concerns about the facilities and learning environment they would encounter at ABU Zaria.

Comrade Jamil commended the lecturers of IBBUL for laying a strong academic foundation for the students, noting that their preparation was recognized by their counterparts at ABU Zaria.

In his closing remarks, the Registrar, Alhaji Idris Saleh Kusherki, represented by the Academic Secretary, Malam Adamu Isah, appreciated the Visitor and Niger State Governor, Farmer Umar Mohammed Bago, for providing the enabling environment and necessary support that contributed to the students’ success. He said the level of support and treatment accorded the students demanded an equally impressive result, stressing that “to whom much is given, much is expected.”

He also commended the Vice-Chancellor and the University Management, as well as the College of Health Sciences, for laying a solid academic foundation that prepared the students for the achievement.

Malam Adamu urged the students to sustain the momentum, remain focused and committed throughout their medical training, and continue to uphold the reputation of IBBUL.

Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL), has achieved a major milestone in biotechnology through its outstanding participation at the 38th International Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN).

The event, themed “Advancing Safe Biotechnology for Sustainable Wealth Creation,” was held from August 21–27, 2026, at Abdulkadir Kure University, Minna, Niger State.

The conference brought together leading researchers, academics, policymakers, industry stakeholders, and emerging scientists to explore biotechnology’s role in addressing national and global challenges in agriculture, healthcare, industry, environmental sustainability, and wealth creation.

IBBUL’s remarkable presence was driven by the visionary support of its Vice Chancellor, Professor Mohamed Hadi Suleiman who sponsored all staff from the Department of Biotechnology to attend. This unprecedented gesture earned special commendation from both the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and the National Executive Council (NEC) of BSN, distinguishing IBBUL as the only institution whose chief executive fully funded departmental participation.

This demonstrates the University’s commitment to staff development, scientific collaboration, and the advancement of biotechnology as a strategic pillar of national growth. In a sector often constrained by funding, the Vice Chancellor’s decision demonstrated bold leadership and investment in human capital.

In another highlight, Prof. Dickson Achimugu Musa, Professor of Pharmacological Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at IBBUL, was elected Vice President of the Biotechnology Society of Nigeria. His election marks a significant professional milestone for the University, reinforcing its growing influence in biotechnology research and policy. His new role provides the University with a national platform to shape biotechnology priorities, promote innovation, and translate scientific discoveries into practical solutions.

Together, these achievements reflect IBBUL’s dual success: institutional commitment to empowering its biotechnology workforce and the elevation of one of its scholars into national leadership.

The synergy highlights the University’s philosophy that meaningful leadership is expressed not only through infrastructure but through deliberate investment in people, knowledge, and professional opportunities.

The Local Organising Committee and the National Exexutive Coumcil further acknowledged the support of the Vice Chancellor by presenting conference materials to him.

IBBUL’s accomplishments at the BSN conference go beyond participation. They represent a bold statement of intent: to build a vibrant academic environment where staff development, professional recognition, and research excellence converge to advance biotechnology and national development.

Following a landmark intervention from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund(TETfund) with the award of a contract for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) of a 7.5MWP/5.5MWh Solar Mini-Grid to Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, officials of the Fund have visited the Institution to inspect site and commence the project.

Receiving members of the team, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, expressed profound appreciation to the leadership of TETFund for the landmark intervention, and particularly commended the Chairman of the TETFund Board of Trustees, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, CFR, for his commitment to the development of public tertiary institutions and for his continued support to IBBU Lapai.

He also appreciated the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny S.T. Echono, FNIA, and the entire Management of the Fund for approving and facilitating the project.

Professor Sulaiman described the solar mini-grid as a transformative intervention that would address one of the critical challenges confronting modern university education reliable and sustainable electricity.

He assured that the University would do everything humanly possible to ensure the sustainability of the project, stressing that it will take a lot of financial burden off the Institution, especially in the payment of electricity bills and purchase of diesel to power the campus.

The Vice-Chancellor also acknowledged the support and commitment of the Visitor to the University, Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago whose administration, he said, has continued to demonstrate strong commitment to the growth and development of IBBU.

He further commended other stakeholders and members of the University’s Management team, staff for their collective efforts towards positioning IBBU to attract major development interventions.

Professor Suleiman assured the TETfund that the University would not disappoint and would make sure that the project is adequately supervised to the end.

Speaking, the Leader of the team, Engr. Yakubu Dan-Habu stated that in the year 2025, the attention of the board of TETFUND was drawn to the fact that a number of institutions were having difficulties with the energy utility bill. And so, a committee was set up to look into alternative energy for tertiary institutions across the nation.

He said the committee visited the institutions across the geographical zones and it was decided that Green Energy was the way forward.

According to him, the goal is to provide sustainable energy infrastructure project for enhancing the delivery of seamless learning processes for the benefit of students, facilitators/lecturers, administration and other academic related activities within the public tertiary institutions of learning.

“The initiative is part of a broader TETFund effort to provide sustainable alternative energy to tertiary institutions across Nigeria”, Engr. Dan-Habu added.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Atlantic Green Limited, the Contractor handling the project, Malam Aliyu Shehu assured that the Company would give the best quality that is obtainable worldwide.

In a vote of thanks, the Registrar, Alhaji Idris Saleh Kusherki expressed delight for the project and said teaching, research and community service which are the hallmark a university would be strengthened with the presence of the project

He enjoined the Contractor and the Consultant to work diligently for the success of the facility.

It would be recalled that the intervention was earlier contained in a letter dated 7th September 2026 and addressed to the Vice-Chancellor of the University, which introduces a major renewable-energy component to TETFund’s interventions at IBBU and was expected to strengthen electricity supply for teaching, learning, research, administration and other academic activities.

In the letter signed by Abdullahi Bunza, Head, Procurement Unit, for the Executive Secretary of TETFund, the Fund awarded the contract to Messrs. Atlantic Green Limited for the engineering, procurement and construction of the solar mini-grid. It stated that the project is designed to provide sustainable energy infrastructure for the University and enhance the delivery of seamless learning processes for students, lecturers, administrators and other members of the University community.

The Vice-Chancellor of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, has explained the issues surrounding the ongoing Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike, saying the University Management has resolved virtually all administrative matters relating to the implementation of the 2025 agreement, while the financial components require continued engagement with the Niger State Government.

Speaking on “Nigeria Today”, a morning programme by Prestige FM, the Vice-Chancellor said the agreement reached between the Federal Government and ASUU in December 2025 introduced a new salary regime, including a 40 per cent increase for academic staff, as well as other monetary and administrative provisions.

He said the University had submitted the financial implications to the state government and had engaged the local ASUU branch, stressing that his engagements with the Visitor, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, the national leadership of ASUU and the Commissioner for Tertiary Education were aimed at addressing what he described as ‘a breakdown in communication among the parties’.

The Vice-Chancellor further disclosed that the Governor had expressed readiness to chair a meeting in Lapai involving the government, University Management, the Unions and other critical stakeholders once the strike is suspended.

Also speaking on the programme, the Commissioner overseeing Tertiary Education, Alhaji Adamu Abdullahi Sheshi said Niger State Government had made considerable efforts to engage ASUU and address its concerns.

He disclosed that the government would continue to release ₦200 million monthly from September, 2026 to January, 2027 as part of efforts to ease the financial burden.

The Commissioner, therefore urged ASUU to call off the strike and return to the negotiating table with the government and other stakeholders, stressing that the state has several tertiary institutions and other financial responsibilities to meet up with. He also assured parents that the government had no plan, for now, to increase tuition fees as a means of meeting the union’s demands.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Suraj Sa’id in his contribution, however, disputed claims that the government had failed to engage ASUU after receiving its demands, adding that the government had held four meetings with the Union.

The Permanent Secretary said the government had repeatedly appealed to ASUU to give the Visitor time to consider the issues and take the necessary decisions, maintaining that the government had not ignored the Union’s requests for dialogue.

Contributing, the Director-General, Schools and Education Reform, Hajiya Maimuna Mohammed, said her position on the ongoing ASUU strike was based primarily on the welfare of students and the stability of the education system. While acknowledging the legitimate concerns of University academic staff over welfare, working conditions and outstanding agreements, she argued that prolonged strikes ultimately impose the greatest burden on students and their families.

She noted that repeated disruptions to academic calendars delay graduation, increase pressure on parents and leave young people idle for extended periods, with possible consequences for employment and social stability.

Hajiya Maimuna said the dispute should not be viewed simply as a confrontation between government and ASUU, stressing that both sides have a responsibility to protect the interests of students while negotiations continue. She said the government had indicated its willingness to discuss the Union’s demands and had appealed directly for the strike to be suspended so that negotiations could continue.

She also questioned the sustainability of commitments that government may be unable to finance, warning that increased funding requirements could have implications for university running costs and potentially place additional financial pressure on parents.

According to her, the development of IBBUL requires cooperation among the Visitor, University Management, Unions and other stakeholders, rather than a prolonged confrontation that could undermine confidence in the
Institution.

Hajiya Maimuna therefore appealed to all parties in the tertiary education dispute to continue negotiations and explore alternatives that would minimise disruption, emphasising that students and parents should not bear the consequences of unresolved disagreements between adults.

Also speaking, the Director-General, Students Affairs, Niger State, Honourable Bello Barau Sharif, said the prolonged ASUU strike had placed students at the centre of a dispute which consequences they did not create.

He said students had already lost several weeks of lectures at a time when they were preparing for their second-semester examinations, creating uncertainty around graduation and increasing emotional and psychological pressure.

Honourable Sharif disclosed that his Directorate had been engaging student leaders who were considering protests, cautioning that taking to the streets could create additional problems rather than resolve the existing dispute.

He appealed to students to remain calm and to ASUU, government and University Management to consider the academic and welfare implications of allowing the strike to continue.

Honourable Sharif therefore appealed for the strike to be suspended to allow negotiations to continue, warning that the longer the disruption persists, the more difficult it becomes to recover lost lecture periods and properly restructure the academic calendar.

He stressed that resolving the dispute requires contributions from government, ASUU, University Management, parents and students, with the interests of the students remaining a central consideration.

Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, has received teams from the National Universities Commission (NUC) for resource verification of 13 proposed academic programmes across various disciplines.

The exercise is aimed at assessing the University’s readiness in terms of academic staff, infrastructural facilities, equipment, library resources and other requirements necessary for the successful commencement of the programmes.

The programmes presented for verification include, B.CHS Community Health Science,
Nursing Science,
B.MLS Medical Laboratory Science,
B.A. Nupe,
B.Sc. Physics with Electronics,
M.Sc/PhD Food Science and Technology, as well as
B.Sc. Library and Information Science.

others are, B.Sc Applied Geophysics, B.Sc Cyber Security, B.Sc Botany, B.Sc Zoology, B.Sc Intelligence and Security Studies and B.Sc Industrial Chemistry

The teams commended the University for the impressive level of preparation and commitment demonstrated towards the proposed introduction of 13 new academic programmes across various disciplines.

The panels explained that their assessment covered the proposed programmes’ curricula, academic and non-teaching staff, laboratories, classrooms, lecture theatres, offices, library holdings, e-library facilities and other relevant resources.

While several areas were adjudged satisfactory, the teams also identified areas requiring further attention.

Another panel specifically commended the University’s curriculum, staffing and physical facilities for the proposed programmes, while calling for continuous improvement of the available resources.

The teams expressed appreciation to the University Management for its cooperation and urged the Institution to sustain the momentum by addressing the observations raised during the exercise.

Responding to the issues raised, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, assured the NUC teams that the Management would take all the observations seriously and implement the necessary corrective measures.

He disclosed that the University would recruit additional academic and technical staff to address identified staff-mix gaps, particularly at the lower academic ranks, while ensuring that the departments have the required personnel to support effective teaching and learning.

He also assured the panels that identified administrative arrangements, including the proper positioning of offices, would be addressed promptly.

Professor Hadi further assured the teams that the University would strengthen its library resources by ensuring that relevant books available in departmental libraries are also provided in the main library. He noted that the University appreciates the importance of having current and relevant academic materials readily accessible to students and researchers.

On local journals, he said the Management would work with professionals and relevant bodies to identify reputable local journals and ensure that they are added to the University’s collections. He also explained that the Management had commenced efforts to restore and expand internet connectivity across the campus after some network infrastructure was damaged, adding that the Director of ICT had been directed to determine the financial requirements for completing the work.

The Vice-Chancellor also directed the relevant academic and administrative units to correct identified curriculum inconsistencies and ensure strict compliance with the NUC’s CCMAS, particularly regarding approved course codes and the appropriate placement of courses at different academic levels. He assured the panels that incomplete staff files would be updated with appointment, confirmation, promotion and academic qualification documents.

Professor Hadi thanked the NUC teams for their candid observations and constructive recommendations, stressing that the university viewed the resource verification exercise not merely as a regulatory requirement but as an opportunity to strengthen its academic programmes, improve its facilities and enhance the quality of education offered to students.