Experts say Nigerian universities must sharpen their grantsmanship to compete globally and secure sustainable funding.
Nigerian universities have been called to strengthen their capacity for international grants and strategic resource mobilisation to remain competitive and financially sustainable. The call came from Prof. Andrew Haruna and Mr Ken Oguzie during a research workshop at the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU) Secretariat in Abuja.
The workshop, themed “Unlocking Global Funding: Resource Mobilisation and International Grantsmanship for Nigerian Universities,” focused on equipping institutions to access and manage international research funding.
Haruna highlighted that many Nigerian universities face weak proposal development, poor alignment with donor priorities, and over-reliance on government subventions. He urged institutions to align research with global development needs while projecting strong African perspectives.
Oguzie stressed three key shifts: move from individual-driven to institutional strategies, from local to global relevance, and from competition to collaboration. He noted that funders now prioritise research on global challenges like climate change, AI, food security, and public health.
Experts also highlighted the need for international partnerships, intra-university collaboration, and a strong global online presence to increase visibility and funding success. Participants gained practical tools for strategic grant writing, compliance with donor standards, and building sustainable research partnerships.
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