Two lecturers in the Department of Mass Communication at Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, Habeeb Opeyemi Daranijo and Abdullahi Ishola Salaudeen, have been awarded a combined research grant of $3,000 at the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) @5 National Youth Leadership and Ecosystem Convening held in Abuja.

Daranijo and Salaudeen emerged among the top nine research paper authors selected from over 100 entries submitted by academics and researchers across Nigeria.

The grant awards each scholar $1,500 in publication support to facilitate the dissemination of their research findings in peer-reviewed international academic journals.

Salaudeen's research paper, titled "Artificial Intelligence and Civic Technology: Algorithmic Mediation and Digital Media Engagement in Nigeria Democratic Participation," examines the influence of algorithmic systems and digital tools on political participation within Nigeria's democratic process.

Daranijo's study, titled "Artificial Intelligence, Social Media, and Civic Technology Adoption: Predicting Digital Civic Engagement among Nigerian Youths," evaluates predictive frameworks regarding how young Nigerians adopt social media and civic technologies for public engagement.

The Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) is a multi-year youth empowerment initiative supported by international organizations, including the MacArthur Foundation and Ford Foundation, aimed at strengthening youth leadership, policy formulation, and digital innovation in Nigeria.