Nigerian Universities showcase NASENI-funded R&D products

*The top Management officials of Nigeria’s National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure have witnessed the presentation of the agency’s funded R&D products by researchers from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso and Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Researchers from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomosho, Oyo State, and Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, Niger State have showcased their research and development (R&D) products funded by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).

The market regulatory agency stated the top Management team, led by Research Directors of NASENI recently witnessed the presentation, which took place at Technology Orientation Centre (TOC), NASENI Headquarters, Abuja, FCT.

Chima Akwaja, Deputy Director of Information at NASENI, in the statement said the event marked the culmination of a collaborative effort that began, April 2023, when NASENI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with three professors from the universities.

The agency also noted Prof. Abass Alade, Department of Chemical Engineering, LAUTECH, disclosed the research focused on “Treatment of Aquaculture Waste Water Using Waste Banana and Plantain Stem Juice Composite Through Integrated Filtracoagulation Cascade System”; Associate Professor Jimoh Oladejo Tijani, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State on “Development of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes-Iron Tungstate Composite for Industrial Wastewater Purification” while Dr. Sanusi Kolawole, Department of Pure and Applied Physics, LAUTECH, focused on “Development of Nano-coating Green Urea Fertiliser for Agricultural Production Enhancement”, respectively.

Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, Executive Vice-Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NASENI, represented Dr. Samuel O. Olusunle, Research Director, in his welcome address, appreciated the professors for making judicious use of the funds for publication of their research works and development of the products.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Prof. Alade expressed gratitude for the opportunity saying: “we are happy to have this great chance to show who we are, and what we have done, and we deeply appreciated every input from NASENI, which has added to our body of knowledge and expanded our capacity.”

He also talked about key achievements of the projects such as Agency-academia linkage as feasible and sustainable; facility development in the areas of acquisition of equipment and resources; and human resource development of undergraduates and postgraduates who participated in the research works.

The expert further stressed the need for funding from NASENI, to further mass produce the products and to commercialise them thorough the tripartite relationship between NASENI, academia and private sector operators.

Dr. Patrick Okwu, NASENI Research Director, who thanked the researchers for their partnership, encouraged them to include production costs in their next presentations to make the information more accessible to the general public.

In his remarks, Engr. Prof. Abdulmalik Onuwe, NASENI Research Director, demonstrated enthusiasm for the NASENI-university collaboration and emphasised the importance of expanding the research deliverables to benefit the manufacturing sector.

Giving the vote of thanks, Dr. Bakare Hassan Oladipo, Deputy Director and Head of the Research Laboratory Development Department, Science Infrastructure Directorate at NASENI, expressed gratitude to the EVC/CEO for the collaboration.

Dr. Oladipo stated: “This showcase underscores NASENI’s commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration between Nigeria’s top academic institutions and the Agency’s research and development efforts.”