ABU secures €5 million grant to develop Ai-powered microscope for diagnosing parasitic diseases
Ahmadu Bello University has secured a grant of five million Euros (€5 million) to develop an AI-powered microscope for diagnosing parasitic diseases, including African trypanosomiasis, malaria, leishmaniasis, and filariasis.
The grant was won through MultiplexAI, the first Horizon Euro-funded project to be hosted at the university and one of the few awarded in Nigeria. MultiplexAI project was selected for funding under the Horizon Europe EDCTP3 call on ‘Innovative Digital Health Solutions for Sub-Saharan Africa’. This was part of a broader call that received 240 proposals across six topics focused on digital diagnostics. After a rigorous evaluation process, only four projects were selected for funding, including MultiplexAI.
Dr. Gloria Dada Chechet, a Reader at the Department of Biochemistry at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, is the Scientific Project Lead of MultiplexAI. Chechet, a biochemist and molecular parasitologist, is a researcher at the institution's Africa Centre of Excellence for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology (ACENTDFB) with expertise in diagnostics, disease control, and gender equity in global health.
A fellow of the Science by Women and Learn Africa programs Fundaci'on Mujeres Por Africa, Chechet has received multiple international fellowships supporting her research in neglected tropical diseases and representation of African women in global health research.
The MultiplexAI project, for which the university was awarded the grant, was designed for use in rural and hard-to-reach areas. The tool also enables health workers to accurately detect multiple infections at the point of care, using only a microscope, smartphone, and app.
Significantly, the award marks a historic achievement for Ahmadu Bello University, placing it among Africa's leading voices in digital health innovation. With ABU playing both scientific and clinical leadership roles in the project, the grant showcases the university's research strength and capacity to lead international and high-impact collaborations.
This success also enhances Nigeria's standing in international research and highlights the country's growing capacity to lead in science, technology, and public health.
The Vice-Chancellor, on behalf of Council, Senate, and University Management, congratulates the Africa Centre of Excellence for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology (ACENTDFB) on the feat, and commends Dr. Chechet, the Scientific Project Leader of MultiplexAI project, for the great role she played in securing the grant
0 Comments