Strengthening Grantsmanship Capacity: Highlights from ABU’s 12th Faculty-Wide Research Grant Workshop
The Research Grant Training Workshop held on Thursday, 16th April 2026 at Balarabe Tanimu Hall, Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Samaru, Zaria, was a timely and impactful capacity-building initiative organized by the Directorate of Research and Innovation (DRI), Ahmadu Bello University. The workshop convened a diverse group of academic staff, early-career researchers, and postgraduate scholars from the Agriculture Complex, all united by a shared goal: to strengthen their ability to attract competitive research funding and translate research into real-world solutions.
The training opened with a welcome address by the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture who is also the Chairman of the Agric-Vet Complex, ABU Zaria, who emphasized the increasing importance of research grants in advancing institutional visibility, innovation, and national development. Participants were encouraged to see grants not just as funding opportunities, but as strategic tools for driving impactful agricultural transformation in Nigeria.
The first technical session, facilitated by Prof. J.J. Maina (Director, DRI), provided a comprehensive introduction to grantsmanship, breaking down the anatomy of successful proposals and the full grant lifecycle. Participants gained clarity on what funders look for, how to structure compelling proposals, and how to manage awarded grants effectively.
Prof. J.J. Maina continued with an insightful session on developing strong NRF concept notes, offering practical guidance on idea refinement, alignment with funding priorities, and crafting concise yet persuasive submissions. The interactive Q&A sessions throughout the programme created an open learning environment, allowing participants to engage directly with facilitators and share experiences.
A key highlight of the workshop was the session by Dr. T.O. Olanrewaju of NAERLS, who demonstrated how agricultural research can influence public policy and stimulate agribusiness innovation. This broadened participants’ perspectives on the societal relevance of their research.
Equally impactful was the presentation by Prof. E.O. Balogun [a distinguished biochemist and the **Coordinator of the Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office (IPTTO)] **on intellectual property rights, where participants learned actionable steps for protecting their innovations and leveraging collaborations within the university-government-industry ecosystem. The session underscored the growing importance of IP in ensuring that research outputs are not only published but also protected and commercialized.
The workshop also featured a practical overview of available funding opportunities by Prof. Aisha Abdulkadir (The HoD, Soil Science Department), who outlined various national and international grant windows accessible to agricultural researchers, equipping participants with direction on where and how to apply.
The event concluded with closing remarks from the Director of DRI, who reaffirmed her office’s commitment to continuous researcher development, followed by a networking session over lunch that allowed participants to build collaborations across departments and disciplines.
(Participants’ Feedback)
The workshop was widely praised for its relevance, depth, and practical orientation. Some reflections from participants include:
* *“This training has demystified grant writing for me. I now understand how to structure a winning proposal.”*
* *“The sessions on concept notes and funding opportunities were extremely useful—I feel more confident applying for grants.”*
* *“I particularly appreciated the discussion on intellectual property; it opened my eyes to protecting my research outputs.”*
* *“This is one of the most practical and engaging workshops I have attended in recent times.”*
Overall, the workshop significantly enhanced participants’ knowledge and readiness to pursue research funding, while also fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and impact-driven research within the university community. The programme is part of DRI’s broader mandate to strengthen research excellence at ABU, supported by TETFund NRF administrative funding.
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