A CULTURE OF RESEARCH EXCELLENCE

research grants and awards

"Research grants are not just funding—they are fuel for innovation, tools for transformation, and the bridge between ideas and impact."
—Dr. Ben Festus

In a remarkable stride towards innovation and national development, Federal Polytechnic Ede has been awarded a prestigious research grant from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in 2023 for a groundbreaking project titled: "Development of an IoT-Based Traffic Management System Using Artificial Intelligence for Smart Cities." This 18-month research initiative, valued at ₦14,948,000, exemplifies the power of collaboration and multidisciplinary expertise, bringing together a diverse team of researchers from leading academic institutions across Nigeria.


🔬 Research Team Composition:

    • Dr. Ben Festus – Team Leader (Federal Polytechnic Ede)
    • Prof. Abiodun Musa Aibinu (Summit University, Offa)
    • Prof. Ewetumo Theophilus (Federal University of Technology Akure)
    • Dr. Mrs. Nwankpa Ngozi Nneka (Federal Polytechnic Ede)
    • Dr. Mrs. Adegbenjo Abimbola Olunike (Federal Polytechnic Ede)
    • Engr. Dr. Mrs. Adepoju Temilola Morufat (Federal Polytechnic Ayede)
    • Dr. Adekunle Adewale Uthman (Federal Polytechnic Ede)
    • Surv. Ojo Gaius Olabayode (Federal Polytechnic Ede)
    • Engr. Matthias Omotayo Oladele (Federal Polytechnic Ede)
    • Engr. Adeleke Monsuru Kehinde (Adeleke University Ede)
    • Mr. Edaogbogun Goodness Oreoluwa (Federal Polytechnic Ede)
    • Mr. Fabiyi Ademola Odunayo (Federal Polytechnic Ede)
    • Mr. Etudaiye Abdulmumuni Isah (Federal Polytechnic Ede)


This project aims to leverage the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) to develop an efficient, data-driven traffic management system designed for smart cities in Nigeria. It addresses critical urban transportation challenges such as congestion, emergency routing, traffic violations, and real-time vehicle tracking.


🤝 A Showcase of Collaboration and Professional Excellence

This research consortium not only reflects the growing research leadership of Federal Polytechnic Ede but also underscores the principle of collaboration at its finest. By drawing on expertise from polytechnics, universities, and diverse academic disciplines—including engineering, ICT, surveying, and public infrastructure—the team is demonstrating how innovation thrives in a professionally unified and goal-driven environment. The grant further highlights the institution’s strategic commitment to applied research that addresses national needs, particularly in the fields of smart infrastructure, digital transformation, and urban planning. As the project progresses, it is expected to generate scalable technologies, inform policy frameworks, and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s ambition for smart city development and digital economy transformation.


 

The Federal Polytechnic Ede has been awarded a competitive British Council Exams Services Research Grant in 2023 for the design and development of an innovative project titled: “Design and Evaluation of an Innovative Technology for Mobile-Based Adaptive Assessment (MBAT)”. This interdepartmental collaboration brings together a diverse team of researchers from across the Polytechnic to address a critical need in the education sector—providing sustainable, secure, and scalable alternatives to traditional assessment methods. The project, valued at £26,534, is scheduled to run for nine months.


👨‍🔬 Research Team:

      • Dr. Adekunle Adewale Uthman (Principal Investigator – Directorate of ICT)
      • Dr. Ben Festus (Research Coordinator – Physics Electronics Department)
      • Mr. Blessing A. Amusan (Co-Researcher – Library and Information Science Department)
      • Mr. Etudaiye Abdulmumuni Isah (Co-Researcher – Computer Science Department)


🔍 Project Overview:

The MBAT system is designed to transform digital assessment using a mobile-based platform powered by machine learning algorithms, QR codes, and One-Time Passwords (OTPs) for authentication and fraud prevention. With an emphasis on accessibility, affordability, and data security, the platform will be tested on over 800 students from various departments within the Polytechnic. Using a three-layer architecture—platform, framework, and backend—the tool integrates facial recognition, secure login features, and adaptive test delivery mechanisms. Evaluative studies will be conducted to compare the MBAT platform against traditional pen-and-paper and computer-based testing methods.


🤝 A Model of Institutional Collaboration

This project exemplifies interdepartmental collaboration and professional synergy, aligning with the institution’s strategic goal of fostering research that is solution-oriented, inclusive, and technologically forward-thinking. All participating researchers are drawn from various departments within Federal Polytechnic Ede, showcasing the internal capacity and unity of purpose across academic and administrative units.


📈 Institutional Impact

The MBAT project positions Federal Polytechnic Ede at the forefront of assessment innovation in Africa, with potential integration into broader educational systems both locally and globally. It reinforces the institution’s commitment to research that advances education technology, learning equity, and academic integrity. As the Polytechnic continues to attract and manage high-impact grants—both locally and internationally—this British Council-funded research stands as a testament to the growing research footprint and professional excellence within the Federal Polytechnic Ede community.

ederal Polytechnic Ede has once again demonstrated its commitment to high-impact, solution-driven research by securing a 2023 National Research Fund (NRF) grant from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). The awarded research project is titled: “Biomimetic Management: Phytoremediation and Phyto-mining of Polluted Mining Sites in Southwestern Nigeria.” This multidisciplinary project aims to address the environmental degradation caused by abandoned mining sites through the use of genetically enhanced plants and biomimetic remediation strategies to extract pollutants and recover valuable minerals.


🌱 Project Overview:

    • Focus Area: Environmental restoration, pollution control, and sustainable resource recovery
    • Location: Mining sites across Ijeshaland, Osun State
    • Total Funding: ₦24,132,847
    • Duration: 24 months
    • Lead Institution: Federal Polytechnic Ede

The project uses an innovative, nature-inspired approach to environmental cleanup, integrating phytoremediation, phyto-mining, and genetic engineering to transform polluted land into recoverable and productive ecosystems.


👨‍🔬 Project Leadership and Research Team

Led by Dr. Taleat Adewale A. T. (Principal Researcher), the project brings together a 17-member team of experts in industrial chemistry, biotechnology, plant ecology, atmospheric physics, environmental biology, instrumentation, and GIS mapping — all from Federal Polytechnic Ede and partner institutions.

    • Dr. Ben Festus – Environmental Physics, Electronics Design, AI & IoT
    • Dr. Ogunsumi Israel Akintunde – Plant Ecology and Environmental Botany
    • Dr. Ugwu Nicholas Uche – Geophysics and Environmental Physics
    • Dr. Mrs. Ajayi Oyinlola A. – Environmental Biology, Biodiversity & Agro-ecosystems
    • Dr. Mrs. Adegbola Mosebolatan Victoria – Biotechnology and Membrane Biochemistry
    • Dr. Abibu Moshood Alamu – Analytical Chemistry
    • Dr. Olaoluwa Daud Temitope – Industrial Chemistry, Hydrometallurgy
    • Mrs. Amodu Funke Roseline – Radiation and Health Physics
    • Mrs. Owonibi Sustain Kehinde – Plant and Environmental Biology, Phytomedicine
    • Mrs. Adebayo Masaudat Adeola – Toxicology and Biomembrane Biochemistry
    • Mr. Olawale Olaniran Kayode – Atmospheric Physics
    • Mr. Edaogbogun Goodness Oreoluwa – Atmospheric Physics
    • Mr. Peter Alabi – Data Analysis
    • Mrs. Ben-Festus Blessing N. – Instrumentation, Data Gathering
    • Mrs. Salotun Racheal O. – Microbial Analysis
    • Surv. Gaius Ojo Olabayode – GIS Site Mapping, UAV/Drone Operations


🌍 National Impact & Innovation

This project will:

  • Identify and map major abandoned mine sites in Osun State
  • Assess and remediate heavy metal pollution using genetically enhanced hyperaccumulator plants
  • Recover economically valuable minerals via phyto-mining
  • Engage host communities, train stakeholders, and generate new policy recommendations

With its focus on environmental sustainability, community engagement, and knowledge transfer, the project exemplifies the strategic role polytechnics play in solving real-world challenges through applied research.

Coming Soon!