*Photo:Dr Iyanuoluwa Adufe*
A lecturer in the Department of Public Health, Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Dr Iyanuoluwa Adufe, has won a research grant from the African Centre for Development Impact (ACDI) under its 2026 Research Grant Competition.
Dr Adufe’s research proposal, titled “The BRIDGE Trial: A Pilot Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial of a Co-Created One Health Behavioural Intervention to Improve Antimicrobial Stewardship in Nigeria,” was selected for funding following a highly competitive review process involving local and international experts.
In a statement issued by the University’s Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji, the grant was made possible through the generous support of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and is intended to support a high-quality, policy-relevant impact evaluation that will generate evidence to strengthen policymaking and development practice in Africa.
The project, which will run from August 17, 2026, to July 31, 2027, is expected to generate evidence that will contribute to improved antimicrobial stewardship in Nigeria while strengthening collaboration between researchers and policymakers.
According to the award letter signed by the Executive Director of ACDI, Professor Charles Teye Amoatey, Dr Adufe’s project is expected to contribute to the growing body of rigorous, policy-relevant research required to promote evidence-informed decision-making across Africa. The organisation also indicated that the researcher would join its network of African researchers committed to generating evidence for improved development practice and public policy.
As part of the grant requirements, Dr Adufe and her research team are expected to provide quarterly progress updates and a final technical and financial report. The research is also expected to result in at least one scholarly publication, while its findings will be presented to relevant decision-makers at a dedicated dissemination forum.
Reacting to the achievement, the Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, congratulated Dr Adufe, describing the grant as another demonstration of the quality of research being undertaken by academics at the University.
Professor Adebooye said the achievement underscored the University’s commitment to promoting research that addresses pressing societal challenges and generates practical solutions capable of influencing policy and improving the lives of citizens.
He noted that the success further strengthened UNIOSUN’s growing profile as a research-driven institution whose academics are successfully competing for prestigious research grants and contributing to critical national and continental discourse.
The Vice-Chancellor commended Dr Adufe for her research excellence and urged other members of the University community to pursue innovative, interdisciplinary and impact-driven research capable of attracting international funding and contributing meaningfully to sustainable development.
The latest grant adds to UNIOSUN’s growing record of research achievements and externally funded projects, further reinforcing the institution’s commitment to research excellence, innovation, evidence-based policymaking and global academic engagement.