SAZU Trains Academic Staff on Research for Impact and Grant Writing
By Abdulwahab Muhammad BauchÃ
In its continued effort to bridge the gap between academic research and societal development, Sa'adu Zungur University (SAZU) in Bauchi State has launched a transformative capacity-building program aimed at equipping its academic staff with vital research and grant writing skills.
The 3-day training, themed Research for Impact (R4I), was organized by the university’s Centre of Excellence for Research and Innovation (CERI). It brought together 46 academic staff from various faculties, offering them a practical opportunity to learn how to develop research projects that not only attract funding but also solve real-world problems affecting Nigerian communities.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Fatimah Tahir—represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Professor Bala Abdulhamid Ma’aji—reiterated the institution’s commitment to producing research that is relevant, impactful, and responsive to societal needs. He emphasized that beyond academic publishing, SAZU’s research agenda is now focused on community benefit and sustainable development, especially within the Northeast region where challenges are acute.
Professor Ma’aji further highlighted the importance of grant writing as a tool for securing the resources needed to bring research ideas to life. He encouraged participants to maximize the training, noting that improved skills in proposal development would increase the university's capacity to attract external funding and implement transformative projects.
In his welcome remarks, Dr. Usman Waziri, Director of CERI, noted that the training is part of SAZU’s broader vision to foster a culture of innovation and research excellence. “This is more than just a workshop; it’s a step toward creating a generation of researchers who are solution-driven, community-focused, and internationally competitive,” he said.
As the training progresses, participants are expected to draft actionable proposals, explore new research methodologies, and collaborate on multidisciplinary projects. The outcomes of this initiative are anticipated to not only enhance SAZU’s research output but also establish the university as a key player in regional and national development.
By aligning research efforts with community needs, SAZU is laying a strong foundation for long-term impact—turning knowledge into solutions and empowering academic staff to become agents of change in their fields and beyond.