Institutional capacity and grant success: A mixed methods study of grant management in Nigeria

Adekemisola Asahiah; Robinson Ouma; Adeoluwa  Folami; Oluwafisayo Adeolu; Hannah Abedoh; Franklin Oladiipo  Asahiah; Olushola Emiola-Owolabi

doi:10.32674/10rgp479

Authors

Adekemisola Asahiah Obafemi Awolowo University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7363-6742
Robinson Ouma Rongo Varsity
Adeoluwa Folami University of Lagos
Oluwafisayo Adeolu Morgan State University
Hannah Abedoh Morgan State University
Franklin Oladiipo Asahiah Obafemi Awolowo University
Olushola Emiola-Owolabi Morgan State University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/10rgp479

Keywords:

grant management, higher education, institutional capacity, mixed methods

Abstract

Institutional capacity is a key determinant of grant acquisition and effective grant management, especially in low- and middle-income countries where research productivity is limited by systemic constraints. This study investigated the influence of institutional capacity on grant success among Nigerian higher education institutions using a mixed methods approach. Quantitative data were collected through an online survey of 495 participants, while qualitative insights were obtained through open-ended responses. Correlation and regression analyses revealed a positive and statistically significant relationship between institutional capacity and grant success (r = 0.155, p < 0.01), although funding availability was a stronger predictor. The qualitative findings revealed persistent barriers to grant acquisition and management, underscoring the importance of strengthening institutional systems to enhance sustainable grant success.

Author Biographies

Adekemisola Asahiah, Obafemi Awolowo University

Adekemisola Asahiah is a higher education administrator and Deputy Registrar at Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, a Higher Education Administration doctoral candidate and BSEC grant coordinator at Morgan State University. With over 20 years of experience in university governance, faculty affairs, and research administration, she specializes in strengthening institutional effectiveness, managing federally funded STEM initiatives, and advancing research capacity in higher education.
Robinson Ouma, Rongo Varsity

Robinson Ouma holds BCom (Finance) and a MBM (Finance), with a strong professional background in finance and higher education. Has over 15 years of experience in higher education sector and is currently pursuing a PhD with research interests in faculty professional development and university governance. His work seeks to advance contextually relevant policies and institutional strategies that strengthen teaching quality, promote equity and inclusion, and improve student outcomes in higher education
Adeoluwa Folami, University of Lagos

Adeoluwa Folami is a doctoral student in the Higher Education Administration cohort at Morgan State University. She is on study leave from the University of Lagos, where she is a Principal Assistant Registrar, Office of the Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Nigeria. She has a postgraduate diploma in educational administration and a master’s in public administration. She is currently a pre-doctoral fellow at the Center for Urban Health Equity (CUHE).
Oluwafisayo Adeolu, Morgan State University

Oluwafisayo Adeolu is a graduate student in Data Analytics and Visualization at Morgan State University, where she also serves as a Research Assistant in the Department of Civil Engineering. Her research focuses on digital equity, urban infrastructure, and transportation systems, with an emphasis on data-driven approaches to inclusive planning and evidence-based policy. She applies quantitative and geospatial methods to support applied research, data visualization, and decision-making in urban and institutional contexts.
Hannah Abedoh, Morgan State University

Hannah Abedoh is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Information Science and Systems, with research interests spanning education, data analytics, supply chain, financial technology, blockchain, and information systems. Her work focuses on advancing data-driven innovation and applying emerging technologies to solve real-world problems in finance and digital systems
Olushola Emiola-Owolabi, Morgan State University

Dr. Owolabi is an engineering pedagogy specialist, researching active learning in engineering classrooms and specializing in qualitative methods research on teaching and learning – particularly in remote synchronous learning environments

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