The University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) has secured two Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) National Research Fund (NRF) grants to undertake research aimed at tackling malaria and recurrent cholera outbreaks in Nigeria.
The grants will support separate studies expected to provide practical solutions to two major public health challenges while strengthening the university’s research profile.
The projects are being led by Professors Emmanuel Uttah and George Iniodu of the Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, while Professor Joseph Onah Ukpata of the Department of Civil Engineering is a co-researcher on another grant coordinated by Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai.
One of the studies will focus on malaria, with researchers seeking innovative ways to disrupt transmission of the disease, improve public health outcomes and create economic opportunities through value chains that will benefit communities in Cross River State and other parts of the country.
Speaking on the project, Prof. George Iniodu said the grant provides an opportunity to confront one of Nigeria’s most significant health challenges, noting that the country accounts for about 27 per cent of the global malaria burden, with nearly the entire population at risk of infection.
The second project, titled Development of National Groundwater Risk Assessment Framework for Informed Public Health Policy Towards Ending Recurrent Cholera Outbreaks in Nigeria, will concentrate on improving groundwater sanitation and hygiene as part of efforts to curb waterborne diseases.
Prof. Joseph Onah Ukpata said the research is expected to reduce cholera-related deaths, lower healthcare costs and improve productivity by reducing school and workplace absences. He added that the findings would also support the development of better Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities across the country.
According to him, the study will provide evidence-based recommendations for communities vulnerable to cholera outbreaks, researchers, intervention agencies and policymakers working on environmental health and water resource management.
Ukpata also said the grants would further enhance UNICROSS’ standing among Nigerian universities by demonstrating the institution’s growing capacity for high-impact research.
Reacting to the development, Vice Chancellor Prof. Francisca Bassey described the awards as evidence of the quality of research being undertaken at the university.
She congratulated the researchers and urged them to ensure the projects produce practical solutions to national health challenges.
Bassey reaffirmed the university management’s commitment to promoting research, innovation and staff development, adding that sustained support for academics has continued to position UNICROSS to attract competitive national and international research grants.
