By Noble Uchegbu Uchechukwu Zachariah
Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, has once again demonstrated its growing stature as a hub of research excellence and innovation following the successful emergence of one of its distinguished academics, Dr. Mrs. Peace Chinedu Abana*and her Team, as a recipient of the highly competitive 2025 National Research Fund (NRF) Grant.
The landmark achievement has attracted widespread commendation from the Rector, management, staff, and the entire Polytechnic community, who have described the feat as a reflection of the institution’s unwavering commitment to impactful research, technological advancement, and sustainable national development.
According to the official list of successful projects released by the National Research Fund, Dr. Mrs. Peace Chinedu Abana and her Team was listed as Project Number 69 under the Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation category, with her groundbreaking research proposal titled:
“Valorization of Cassava Mill Wastewater into Biodegradable Bioplastics for Sustainable Packaging Material and Environmental Management in South-East Nigeria.”
The project was approved for a grant award of ₦30,024,450.00, further underscoring its relevance to contemporary environmental and industrial challenges facing Nigeria.
The innovative research seeks to transform cassava mill wastewater, often regarded as an environmental pollutant, into eco-friendly biodegradable bioplastics that can serve as sustainable packaging materials.
The initiative is expected to contribute significantly to waste management, environmental protection, circular economy development, and the promotion of green industrial practices within the South-East region and beyond.
Reacting to the development, the Rector of Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Dr. Mrs Basilia Nkemdilim Igbokwe, on behalf of the Governing Council, Management, Academic Board, staff, students, alumni, and the entire Polytechnic community, congratulated Dr. Abana and her Team on the remarkable accomplishment.
The Rector described the grant award as a testament to her scholarly excellence, resilience, innovative thinking, and dedication to solving real-life societal problems through research.
Dr. Igbokwe further noted that Dr. Abana’s success serves as a source of inspiration to researchers across the institution and validates the Polytechnic’s strategic efforts toward strengthening its research culture, promoting innovation, and encouraging academic staff to pursue nationally and internationally competitive research opportunities.
The achievement is also seen as a significant boost to the Polytechnic’s growing reputation within Nigeria’s research ecosystem. As institutions across the country competed vigorously for the 2025 NRF grants, Dr. Abana’s successful proposal stood out among hundreds of submissions reviewed through a rigorous evaluation process.
The Polytechnic community equally commended the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Development which Dr. Peace Abana is the Acting Director , for its continuous support to researchers and its commitment to fostering an enabling environment for cutting-edge research and knowledge creation.
Our Media crew noted that special appreciation was also extended to the institution’s Management for providing visionary leadership and sustained encouragement that have empowered staff members to pursue innovative research initiatives capable of addressing pressing national challenges.
As Federal Polytechnic Nekede continues to advance its mission of producing solutions-driven scholarship, Dr. Peace Chinedu Abana’s and her Team success further reinforces the institution’s position as a leading centre for applied research, innovation, and sustainable development.
The entire Federal Polytechnic Nekede community proudly celebrates this outstanding accomplishment and wishes Dr. Mrs. Peace Chinedu Abana and her Team greater success in the implementation of the project and the realization of its anticipated environmental, economic, and societal impacts.
Congratulations, to Dr. Mrs. Peace Chinedu Abana and her Team, on this well deserved recognition and outstanding research achievement.
