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ABU Zaria Secures €5M Grant to Pioneer AI-Powered Microscope for Disease Diagnosis

In a groundbreaking stride for medical innovation and academic excellence, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has secured a €5 million grant to develop an AI-powered microscope designed to revolutionize the diagnosis of parasitic diseases in remote communities.

The university’s Director of Public Affairs, Auwalu Umar, announced the development on Monday, highlighting the project’s potential to transform healthcare delivery across rural Africa.

The project—MultiplexAI—marks a historic achievement as the first Horizon Europe-funded initiative to be hosted at ABU’s Africa Centre of Excellence for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology (ACENTDFB).

According to Umar, the AI-enabled microscope will be capable of accurately detecting multiple parasitic infections, including:

African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)

Malaria

Leishmaniasis

Filariasis

Innovation for Impact: Microscopy Meets Machine Learning
What sets MultiplexAI apart is its accessibility and practicality. The tool is specifically designed for rural and hard-to-reach areas, combining a microscope, a smartphone, and a dedicated app to empower frontline health workers with fast, accurate diagnoses—right at the point of care.

Speaking on the development, ABU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Adamu Ahmed praised the research team and extended heartfelt congratulations to ACENTDFB. He also commended Dr. Gloria-Dada Chechet, the Scientific Project Leader, for her outstanding leadership in securing the competitive international grant.

“This is not just a win for ABU—it’s a win for global health and technological innovation,” Prof. Ahmed said.

Toward Smarter Diagnostics in Africa
The MultiplexAI project aims to bridge a critical gap in healthcare delivery where access to skilled diagnostics is limited. By embedding artificial intelligence into conventional laboratory tools, ABU is charting a bold new course—bringing high-tech health solutions to the doorstep of underserved populations.

With this major funding boost, ABU Zaria is not only cementing its reputation as a leading academic and research institution but also stepping onto the global stage as a key player in the future of AI-driven public health innovation.

By Haruna Yakubu Haruna