University of Ibadan Gets N1bn TETfund Grant For Research Centre

Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has set aside the sum of N1billion for the establishment of the Diaspora Research Centre at the University of Ibadan.

This was disclosed when the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, in Abuja.

In a statement signed by the Acting Director, Public Affairs of TETFund, Abdulmumin Oniyangi said NIDCOM struck a deal with TETFund to ensure the seamless operation of diaspora research centres in the country.

While expressing her admiration for TETFund’s transformative action, the NIDCOM boss, Erewa Dabiri noted that the Diaspora Research Centre would be the first of its kind in Africa with immense potential to shape the landscape of research and development in the continent.

She informed the management of TETFund that the NIDCOM is in contact with the University of Ibadan, where the Diaspora Research Centre is to be cited to discuss groundwork, models, and implementation plans for the completion of the project.

Read Also: TETFUND Raises Alarm Over Activities Of Fraudsters 

On his part, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, who received the delegation of NIDCOM, commended the Commission for their nation-building efforts, and advocacy for collaboration on research.

The TETFund Executive Secretary said the Diaspora Research Centre to be domiciled in the University of Ibadan followed the recommendation of NiDCOM.

The Executive Secretary added that an allocation of N1billion was provided in the Fund’s 2023 budgetary allocation under the Special Intervention Initiative of the Fund for the establishment of the Diaspora Center for Research and Development.

He said that the allocation letter has been given to the University of Ibadan in May 2023, with the recommendation that the Institution submits implementation plan for the effective take-off of activities.

While re-emphasising TETFund efforts and commitment to research and development, Echono announced that an additional sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Million Naira was also allocated to the University of Ibadan under the 2023 budgetary allocation Designated Projects as fund assistance for Global Research Centre at the institution.

The Executive Secretary while stating the importance of the facility to the global research community said the Centre is proposed to house a rich collection of African Diaspora and Transnational Studies resources, including textbooks, archival documents, audio and video tapes, online resources, microfilms, and other related materials.

Echono while briefing on the implementation plan from the host Institution stated explicitly that the University of Ibadan is presently perfecting plans for signing of the MOU with NIDCOM, which is the collaborating institution that has been interfacing with TETFund on Diaspora Centre of Excellence project together with NIDCOM.

The University has also initiated the search for a TETFund-accredited firm to set about the design of the structure in conformity with the value of the awarded grant while interfacing with the University of Ibadan.