ABU Secures Grant To Develop AI-Powered Microscope

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State, has secured a €5 million (about ₦8.9 billion) grant to develop an artificial intelligence-powered microscope capable of diagnosing some of the world’s most stubborn parasitic diseases.

The grant, which came through the MultiplexAI Project, marks the first Horizon Europe-funded research to be hosted by the university, and one of the very few awarded to any Nigerian institution.

Horizon Europe is the European Union’s key funding programme for research and innovation.

The AI-powered microscope is designed specifically for point-of-care diagnosis of parasitic diseases, including African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), malaria, leishmaniasis, and filariasis — diseases which remain a public health burden in sub-Saharan Africa.

Announcing this in a statement on Monday, the university’s Public Affairs Directorate said the grant was won under the highly competitive Horizon Europe EDCTP3 Call for Innovative Digital Health Solutions for Sub-Saharan Africa.

The call received 240 proposals across six health innovation topics. Following what insiders described as “a very rigorous and highly competitive evaluation process”, only four projects worldwide were selected for funding, among which MultiplexAI stood out.

Leading the groundbreaking project is Dr. Gloria Chechet, a Reader in Biochemistry at ABU, and a molecular parasitologist at the university’s Africa Centre of Excellence for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology (ACENTDFB).

Chechet, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished female scientists in the field of tropical diseases, is Scientific Project Lead for the initiative.

Reacting to the feat, Chechet said:“This is not just a win for Ahmadu Bello University. It’s a win for Nigeria, for African women in science, and for the millions of people still suffering the consequences of these neglected diseases.

“With this tool, we hope to drastically transform the speed, accuracy, and accessibility of diagnosis in even the most rural and hard-to-reach communities.”

According to her, MultiplexAI’s microscope, which will integrate a smartphone and a bespoke app, allows health workers in remote communities to rapidly and accurately detect multiple infections simultaneously at the point of care — without the need for sophisticated laboratory infrastructure.

She noted that the technology is specifically being designed to meet the realities of low-resource settings in Africa, where parasitic diseases continue to claim lives due to late or inaccurate diagnoses.

Chechet’s work has previously earned her recognition from Science by Women and Fundaciόn Mujeres Por Africa, as well as fellowships under the Learn Africa Program, all aimed at increasing the visibility of African women in global health research.

Her latest success with MultiplexAI further solidifies her standing as a leader in the fight against neglected tropical diseases and a champion of gender equity in global health sciences.

The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, described the success as a “historic milestone”, not just for ABU but for Nigeria’s academic and research community.

“In a congratulatory message on behalf of the Council, Senate, and Management, Prof. Bala praised the ACENTDFB team for putting ABU on the global innovation map.

“This achievement demonstrates the growing strength of Ahmadu Bello University in leading impactful international collaborations, particularly in areas that address Africa’s unique health challenges.

“We are immensely proud of Dr. Chechet’s leadership and the dedication of her team,” the Vice-Chancellor said.

The MultiplexAI microscope project is expected to deliver prototypes ready for pilot use within the next three years, with field trials slated for Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda.

The tool aims to integrate seamlessly into existing health systems, helping to close diagnostic gaps and supporting health workers with AI-enhanced accuracy.

ABU Secures Grant To Develop AI-Powered Microscope is first published on The Whistler Newspaper