GRANT-WRITING COMPETENCIES AND RESEARCH FUNDING IMPROVEMENT AMONG FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES LIBRARIANS IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated the Grant-Writing Competencies and Research Funding Improvement

among Federal Universities Librarians in North-Central Nigeria. The study specifically examined

the types of research grants available, librarians’ level of grant-writing skill proficiency, and the

channels through which grants are accessed. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and data

were collected using a structured questionnaire administered to 170 academic librarians across

eight federal universities. A total of 146 copies were returned and analyzed, representing an

(85.9%) response rate. Findings revealed that Institutional Research Grants (65.8%),

Government-Funded Grants (57.5%), Travel/Conference Grants (61.0%), and Small Grants for

Pilot Studies (63.0%) were the most accessible, particularly at the University of Ilorin and

University of Abuja. However, international, capacity-building, and professional association

grants were underutilized, especially at the Federal University of Health Technology, Otukpo.

Librarians demonstrated strong competencies in research skills and subject expertise (71.9%),

grant proposal writing (63.0%), information literacy/database navigation (65.1%), and

technological proficiency (67.8%). Key access channels included collaboration, funding agencies,

workshops, and professional networks. The study concludes that although academic librarians

possess relevant competencies for grant acquisition, gaps persist in awareness, training, and

utilization of high-value international and capacity-building grants. It recommends targeted

professional development, institutional support structures, mentorship networks, and

establishment of grant-writing units to improve funding success and strengthen librarians’

contribution to research growth in Nigerian universities.