CALABAR – A parasitologist and a civil engineer are among three University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) scholars who have secured the highly competitive Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) National Research Fund (NRF) in the latest grant cycle, reflecting on the institution’s growing research capacity in the biological sciences and infrastructure development NEGROIDHAVEN can say.
Prof. Emmanuel Uttah, a distinguished scholar in parasitology and geospatiology, and Prof. George Iniodu, an environmental and public health parasitology expert, were both named Principal Investigators. They are joined by Engr. Prof. Joseph Onah Ukpata of the Department of Civil Engineering, who serves as Co-Researcher on project number 107. Prof. Iniodu George Ukpong of the Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, serves as Principal Investigator for project number 66.
Prof. Uttah, who delivered UNICROSS’s 6th inaugural lecture in April 2025 titled “Parasites in Sombre Macabre in Paradise: Tintinnabulations of Man-Parasite Irredentism,” has been a Fellow of the Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria since October 2025. His research focuses on parasitic disease control, environmental health, and the impact of heavy metals on food safety in Calabar.
Prof. Iniodu, a professor of environmental and public health parasitology, has been vocal on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), calling for increased funding in NTD research to translate findings into effective solutions. He is also a member of the Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria.
Engr. Prof. Ukpata, an Associate Professor of Civil Engineering Materials and Construction, serves as Acting Director of Research and Development at UNICROSS. His research interests include concrete durability and the performance of cement systems in challenging environments.
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francisca Bassey, congratulated the scholars, describing the selection of three researchers from the university in a single grant cycle as a reflection of the quality of research being conducted at UNICROSS.
The TETFund National Research Fund is one of Nigeria’s most competitive research funding schemes, with N7.5 billion awarded to 174 research teams in the latest cycle. The grants range from N13.7 million to N49.98 million per project, covering thematic areas including health, agriculture, food security, energy, science, engineering, and environmental sustainability. The Federal University of Technology, Minna, recorded the highest number of successful applications with 18 grants.
Prof. Bassey urged the beneficiaries to produce impactful results that will benefit Cross River State and Nigeria at large. “I assure you of management’s continuous support for research, innovation, and staff development; which is one of the reasons we create an enabling workspace for scholars to compete and win national grants,” she added.
The TETFund NRF grant supports research projects addressing national development challenges, including environmental sustainability, public health, and infrastructure development.
