The AMIR Fund for Education, Science, and Technology, through FirstBank Trustees, has established a fund dedicated to bolstering research in molecular biology and oncology at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed with the university on August 22, is in line with AMIR’s commitment to advancing local scientific research.

The endowment is structured to support OAU in two distinct but related areas: it will support biomedical and oncology research efforts in Prof. Adebayo Shittu’s Laboratory within the Department of Microbiology.

It will also establish an annual postgraduate research fellowship award to support master’s and doctoral students focused on molecular biology and oncology research within the laboratory.

AMIR Fund founder Ridwan Sorunke emphasised his personal connection to OAU and Prof. Shittu’s influence, who mentored him during his time at the university.

“This endowment is rooted in my gratitude for the education I received in this institution and the guidance I was given.

“This fund is designed to catalyse local finances and build a robust framework for scientific research, right here in Nigeria, ensuring that our brightest minds have the resources they need,” Sorunke said.

He also emphasised that this initiative is “the first of many” and hopes that “with this template that has been designed, we would be able to sustain and continue it along the line.”

The Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Prof. Adebayo Bamire, thanked AMIR Fund for the initiative, stating that it would be “instrumental in helping to scale forward many innovations in the department as well as the school itself.”

Founder of the Molecular Bacteriology Laboratory, Prof. Adebayo Shittu, expressed how the fund would significantly improve the department’s work, recalling an experience from his own PhD days.

This experience, he said, made him resolve to ensure his students would not face the same challenges, a commitment he has been upholding through his work.

“The fund is a bold commitment to nurturing excellence and rewarding dedication.

“Every act of giving through AMIR FEST is Ridwan’s quiet, powerful way of saying, ‘I was once where you are and someone believed in me. Now, I believe in you’”.

The AMIR Fund for Education, Science, and Technology is an expandable endowment fund committed to advancing education, science, and technology at secondary and tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

Rooted in the personal journey of its founder, AMIR Fund supports scientific and technological research and promotes educational excellence in students and teachers through scholarships, awards, and grants.