RMO-UNILAG Hosts Workshop to Enhance Grant Writing Skills

The Research Management Office (RMO), University of Lagos (UNILAG) organised a workshop on Grant Writing Skills for Academics and Researchers on Thursday, May 16, 2024. The workshop underscored the significance of excellent grant-writing skills in securing research funding and advancing the university’s mission.

The event which was held at the Afe Babalola Hall, attracted many scholars, researchers and members of the University Management team including Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Sciences), Professor Lucian Obinna Chukwu who represented the Vice-Chancellor; Acting Registrar, Mrs. Makinde; University Librarian, Professor Yetunde Zaid; University Bursar, Mrs. Adekunle Olufunlola; and Director of Academic Planning Professor Mathew Ilori.

The Acting Director of the Research Management Office, Dr. Olasumbo Olusanya, the workshop was in fulfilment of the RMO’s mandate to keep the doors of funding opportunities open to UNILAG academics and researchers, by honing their grant-writing abilities.

She lauded the University Management for their commitment to positioning UNILAG as a premier research and innovation institution.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Sciences), Professor Lucian Obinna Chukwu highlighted the importance of excellent grant writing skills to ensure access to research funding, and continued maintenance of the University’s reputation as a solution lighthouse.  He underscored the fact that UNILAG’s intellectual strength is reflected in the substantial grants it has attracted over the past decade; and charged partcipants to make most of the training in order to keep the culture going. Professor Chukwu.

The Guest Speaker, Dr. Micheal Kunnuji offered practical tips and insights into effective grant proposal writing. The Associate Professor of Sociology at UNILAG stressed the need for proposals to be clear, convincing, and aligned with the funder’s interests.

According to him, “A grant-winning research proposal must demonstrate a nexus between the writer’s topic and general interest. Issues of economy and livelihood interest everyone. Matters of insecurity, diversity, immigration and many other related matters attract interest. It is  also important for the writer to understand the interest and priorities of the donor or funder, and craft his proposal idea and topic accordingly.”

Dr. Kunnuji, an expert in Social Research Methodology also shared the tricks and techniques of grant-winning proposals with the participants and encouraged them to put them to effective use.

Source: UNILAG