Prof. O. O. Balogun VC, UNAAB
Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) has granted the University, provisional approval for Research Grants, totalling a sum of N128.9 million.
UNAAB attracted the grants through successful research applications by seven of its academic staff to ARCN.
The successful applicants are Professors P. A. Okuneye, A.Y.A. Adeoti, and S. Uzochuckwu. Others are Dr. A. R. Popoola, Dr. I. O. Daniel and Dr. J. K. Adewumi.
The approval of their applications for the grants, sent to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun, was communicated through separate letters signed by the National Coordinator, Competitive Agricultural Research Grant Scheme (CARGS), Prof. O. O. Oni, on behalf of the Executive Secretary of ARCN.
According to the letter of approval, Prof. P. A. Okuneye was granted N14,909,550 to execute a project on Economic Evaluation and Impact Assessments of Food Crop Production, Processing and Storage Technologies in Nigeria.
Prof. A. Y. A. Adeoti is to receive a grant of N14,822,500 for the execution of a project on the delopment of Integrated Pest Management Technology for Tomato Wilt Diseases and Fruit Borers.
Also a research grant of N29m is going to Prof. S. Uzochukwu to execute a research project on ‘Biosafety Evaluation of GM Cassava and Cowpea Approved for Field Testing in Nigeria’ and ‘Audit of Genetically Modified Foods and Feeds in the Nigerian Food System’.
In the same vein, Dr. A. R. Popoola attracted a total sum of N12,711,750.77 in respect of a project titled ‘Tackling Tomato Wilt from the Root: Identifying and Sequencing Fusarium Wilt-Resistant Genes in Tomatoes Grown in Nigeria’.
ARCN also awarded Dr. I. O. Daniel a grant of N21,201,333 for the monitoring of the Viability and Genetic Integrity of Stored Seeds at NACGRAB Gene Bank.
Another recipient, Dr. J. K. Adewunmi, was awarded a sum of N36,261,900 to facilitate the development of a low-tech and affordable Drip Irrigation System for Rural Farmers.
The duration for the execution of the projects, according to the letter of provisional award ranges from one to three years, while the final approval will be subject to satisfactory performance under the pre-implementation stages.
