ABU Secures GFGP Gold Tier Certification to Enhance Grants Management

Ahmadu Bello University has secured gold tier certification to strengthen institutional financial governance as well as enhance competitiveness for global research and grants funding.

The university achieved the certification under the Good Financial Grant Practice (GFGP) standard.

The GFGP standard, developed by the African Academy of Sciences, provides a globally recognised benchmark for grant management capacity, transparency, and accountability.

The gold tier certification is the second highest recognition for financial and grant management excellence under the Good Financial Grant Practice.

ABU is one of two universities in Nigeria to have been awarded the certification so far and the first public university to have achieved this in the country.

The Chairperson, University Self-Assessment on the Good Financial Grant Practice Committee, Prof Joy Joshua Maina, announced this when she submitted the committee report to the University Management.

She said achieving the GFGP gold tier certification marked a “significant milestone in ABU’s journey toward excellence in grant management for grant seekers from the institution.”

“This recognition not only affirms institutional integrity but also opens new pathways for international collaborations and sustainable funding opportunities for research and innovation”, she also explained.

Prof Maina, who is the Director of Research and Innovation, Ahmadu Bello University, said ABU should aim to achieve the platinum – tier certification by 2027 when the certification will expire.

Presenting the report to the University Management, Prof Maina said the university self-assessment on GFGP commenced soon after inaugurating the committee.

She said the process used by the committee in the course of their assignment included gap analysis, evidence collection and documentation, as well as process improvement.

The process, according to her, also included submission and verification, as well as external auditing by KPMG, Kenya.

Maina further said with the gold tier certification, the university achieved standardisation of institutional procedures in line with global best practice.

She said the university also achieved enhanced institutional visibility and credibility with potential funders and collaborators.

Prof Maina listed benefits of the GFGP certification as follows: increased funding competitiveness, risk reduction, operational efficiency, and reputational advantage.

The chairperson, who said they started the work in November, 2023 through August, 2025, explained that the committee made 13 recommendations.

She thanked the Management for the opportunity to serve the university in this capacity.

Receiving the committee, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, commended the chairperson and other members of the committee for the job well done.

The three Deputy Vice-Chancellors – Prof Ahmed Doko Ibrahim, Prof Raymond B Bako, and Prof Sanusi Aliyu Rafindadi – who witnessed the report presentation, also congratulated the committee.

They expressed confidence that the certification would enhance accountability and transparency in grant management.

Members of the Committee included Prof Hafsat Ahmad Rufai, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital; Malam Yahaya Hussaini, Bursary; and Dr Aliyu Dalha Kankia, Registry.

Others were Malam Yakubu Ahmed Bello, Procurement Unit; and Arc Suleiman Mohammed, Physical Planning and Municipal Services.

………………………………..
Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (NAM)

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