UNILAG announces N5m business ethics research grant competition

The Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Lagos (UNILAG), in collaboration with the Board of Trustees of the First Bank Samuel Oyewole Asabia Annual Lecture in Business Ethics, has announced a call for entries for the 1st Research Grant Award Competition in Business Ethics.

The initiative is designed to support high-quality research that promotes ethical standards in business practices and corporate governance. Researchers whose work contributes to the development and understanding of business ethics are encouraged to apply.

1. The Board of Trustees of the First Bank Samuel Oyewole Asabia Annual Lecture in Business Ethics awards a limited number of research grants each year, with funding of up to N5 million.
2. The grant is intended primarily for the applicant’s research work.

A. The research project must be carried out mainly by the applicant.
B. However, non-essential aspects of the work may be handled by other parties if necessary.

The Trustees’ main research interest may vary from year to year, and this will be clearly communicated when the grant is announced.

3. The grant is expected to support research-related needs such as the purchase of equipment, services, supplies, and other necessary expenses connected to the project.
4. Under the usual funding conditions, the grant cannot be used for personal expenses. This includes payments to assistants or research students. The funds are also not typically meant for purchasing books or subscribing to journals and magazines.

However, in exceptional circumstances, part of the grant may be used for travel if it directly supports the research programme. Such travel must be clearly explained and justified in the application.

5. A publication fee may be included in the grant budget. The maximum allowable amount is N50,000 for local journal publications and N200,000 for international journal publications.
6. The grant is strictly non-transferable.
7. Applicants must be affiliated with a university, research institution, or other recognised establishment conducting independent research in Nigeria.
8. Individuals employed as research students are not eligible for funding under this programme.
9. Applicants conducting research under supervision must ensure that their application is signed by their supervisor before submission.
10. All applicants must provide the names of two referees. Where Regulation 9 applies, the supervisor’s name will be in addition to these referees. At least one referee should normally be from a different institution.

Referees are expected to submit references that evaluate the quality, relevance, and feasibility of the proposed research.

11. Each successful grantee must submit a progress report of approximately 1,000 words after six months. The report must also include a detailed statement of expenditure.

The report should begin with a brief summary of the key conclusions of the research. It should also cover the following areas:

i. An outline of the work carried out
ii. Techniques and methods used
iii. Results obtained
iv. Conclusions reached
v. An assessment of the success or limitations of the project, including prospects for further development

12. The applicant will be responsible for receiving and managing the grant funds. This includes disbursing the funds appropriately and overseeing the overall conduct of the research.
13. Each applicant must include plans for a public awareness programme in the research proposal. The programme should help communicate the research findings to relevant beneficiaries and stakeholders. The cost of this activity should also be included in the proposed budget.
14. Any paper or publication arising from research supported by the First Bank Samuel Oyewole Asabia Annual Lecture in Business Ethics Research Grant must clearly acknowledge this support.

A copy of each publication must also be submitted together with the final report described in paragraph 11, or as soon as possible thereafter.

15. A grant will normally not be awarded to the same applicant for more than two consecutive years.
16. The Trustees reserve the right to adjust the size of the grants depending on the funds available each year.
17. The Trustees also reserve the right to modify these regulations or introduce additional conditions whenever necessary.
18. The Trustees may decide to withhold the grant in any year if the submitted applications do not meet the required standard.
19. The decision of the Trustees is final. Applications that are unsuccessful cannot be resubmitted or reconsidered in the same round.

Interested applicants are required to download and complete the application form at the link below:

http://unilag.edu.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/1ST-RESEARCH-GRANT-AWARD-COMPETITION-IN-BUSINESS-ETHICS-%E2%80%93-2026-CALL-FOR-ENTRIES.docx

Completed application forms should be sent to the following email addresses: advancement@unilag.edu.ng
deanfms@unilag.edu.ng

Applications close on Friday, May 1, 2026.