IBB Varsity Lapai Researchers Unveils N77 Million Projects for Lithium Exploration, Cholera Prevention

By YM Bina

The Vice-Chancellor of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, has reaffirmed the University’s commitment to research excellence, innovation and the promotion of impactful research capable of addressing critical national challenges and contributing to sustainable development.

The Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Aliyu Bello Muhammad, gave the assurance during a research workshop organised to showcase the projects of the University’s two successful National Research Fund (NRF) grant recipients, Associate Professors Hussaini Majiya and Usman Yusuf Tanko.

He described the workshop as an opportunity to celebrate the researchers’ achievements, encourage other academic staff to pursue competitive research grants and strengthen the University’s research culture. He noted that 12 research concept groups were invited for the interview stage, making the success of the two IBBUL researchers a significant achievement worthy of recognition and institutional support.

“IBB University is a state-owned university that is just 20 years old, but when you mention research, we are known all over Nigeria and beyond. We believe our researchers will continue to keep the flag flying,” he said.

Professor Sulaiman expressed optimism that the University would increase its success rate in subsequent NRF funding rounds, setting a target of at least six successful researchers in the next round, compared with the two current beneficiaries.

He stressed that the achievement extended beyond individual recognition, as the researchers were also representing IBBUL and contributing to its growing reputation in the academic and research community.

The VC therefore urged the grant recipients to keep the University Management, Senate, Staff and Students informed about their research objectives, implementation activities and progress.

According to him, regular engagement would enable members of the University community to understand the projects, offer constructive suggestions and identify opportunities for collaboration. He also encouraged participants at the workshop to ask questions, make observations and contribute ideas that could improve the quality and practical relevance of the research, expressing confidence in the researchers’ ability to address issues relating to their respective projects.

Earlier in his remarks, the Director of the Centre for Research and Development, Professor Folorunso Alimi Lawal, described the National Research Fund (NRF) as one of Nigeria’s flagship research initiatives for promoting studies capable of addressing national challenges and making meaningful contributions to global development.

He said IBBUL had a strong history of success in NRF-funded research and expressed gratitude that the tradition was being sustained through the latest research grants awarded to Associate Professors Hussaini Majiya and Usman Yusuf Tanko under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

Professor Lawal explained that the workshop was organised to engage stakeholders who would be directly involved in implementing the projects, including the State Coordinator and the Director of Primary Health, while representatives of the Ministry of Environment were also expected to participate.

He urged the participants to actively engage with the researchers, offer practical suggestions and contribute their professional expertise to ensure effective implementation and maximise the impact of the projects on the target communities.

In their separate presentations, the two National Research Fund (NRF) grant recipients of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL), Associate Professor Hussaini Majiya and Associate Professor Yusuf Usman Tanko, outlined their research projects aimed at addressing critical public health and sustainable development challenges in Nigeria.

Associate Professor Majiya presented his project titled “Development of a National Groundwater Risk Assessment Framework for Informed Public Health Policy towards Ending Recurrent Cholera Outbreaks in Nigeria,” which seeks to establish a scientifically validated framework for assessing groundwater contamination risks and guiding public health interventions.

He explained that the research would examine groundwater sources in 46 communities from 16 local government areas identified as cholera hotspots across the 6 geopolitical zones of Nigeria, assessing the effects of nearby pit latrines, septic tanks and sewage on water quality.

The project will involve the risk assessment of 1,120 ground water sources, collection and analysis of 3,360 water samples from the selected groundwater sources, alongside focus group discussions, design thinking workshops, stakeholder consultations and capacity-building activities, to develop a framework that environmental health officers and policymakers can apply in different locations.

With funding of approximately ₦49 million and a projected duration of 22 months, the research is expected to complement Nigeria’s National Strategic Plan of Action on Cholera Control, support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 6 on good health and clean water, and contribute to reducing waterborne diseases, healthcare costs and the social stigma associated with recurrent cholera outbreaks.

In his presentation, Associate Professor Yusuf Usman Tanko unveiled his research project, “Developing Smart Geoscientific Strategies to Assess Strategic Lithium Deposits in Nigeria as a Catalyst for Clean Energy Leadership and Sustainable Development.” Funded by TETFund at approximately ₦28 million, the project aims to establish internationally benchmarked geoscientific frameworks for the systematic exploration and sustainable management of lithium deposits.

The study will cover selected areas in Niger, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Nasarawa and Bauchi states and bring together experts in geosciences, environmental and biological sciences, socioeconomic research, policy and predictive modelling.

The project is expected to generate scientific knowledge that will strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to identify and assess lithium resources, support responsible mineral development and position the country to benefit from growing global demand for lithium, a critical mineral used in batteries and clean-energy technologies.

In their  goodwill messages, the representative of the Niger State Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Hajiya Hauwa Haruna; the State Chairman of BODAN, Usman Aliyu; the Minna Chapter representative of NAH, Usman Abdullahi; and the President of the Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN), Niger State Chapter, Comrade Sanitarian Abdullahi Alhaji Sheshi, commended Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, for promoting research aimed at addressing critical public health and environmental challenges.

They emphasised the importance of collaboration between researchers, government agencies, professional associations and other relevant stakeholders in translating research findings into practical solutions, particularly in groundwater safety, cholera prevention, environmental sanitation and sustainable resource management.

They also expressed optimism that the research projects would provide valuable scientific evidence to strengthen policymaking, improve environmental health practices and support interventions capable of improving the well-being of communities across Niger State and Nigeria at large.

In a closing remarks, the Registrar, Alhaji Idris Sale Kusherki, represented by the Deputy Registrar and Establishment Secretary, Mr Sunday Gana, commended the researchers for their commitment to advancing knowledge and developing solutions to critical national challenges.

He noted that the successful execution of the research projects would depend on sustained collaboration between the University, relevant government agencies, professional bodies and other stakeholders. He urged the researchers to remain focused on their objectives, adhere to established research standards and ensure that their findings translate into practical benefits for society.