Researchers from the 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 Deputy Director Information, Mr. Chima Akwaja, in a statement made available to the media, said the presentation which took place at Technology Orientation Centre (TOC), NASENI headquarters, Abuja recently was witnessed by the agency’s top management led by Research Directors which marked the culmination of a collaborative effort that began in April 2023 when NASENI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with three Professors from the universities.
Prof. Abass Alade, of the Department of Chemical Engineering, LAUTECH, 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 Fertilizer for Agricultural Production Enhancement”, respectively.
The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu represented by Research Director, Dr. Samuel Olusunle, 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, 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.
He called for funding from NASENI to further mass produce the products and to commercialize them thorough the tripartite relationship between NASENI, academia and private sector operators.
NASENI Research Director, Dr. Patrick Okwu, 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.
On his part, NASENI Research Director, Prof. Abdulmalik Onuwe, expressed enthusiasm for the NASENI-university collaboration and emphasized the importance of expanding the research deliverables to benefit the manufacturing sector.
In his vote of thanks, Deputy Director and Head of the Research Laboratory Development Department, Science Infrastructure Directorate, NASENI, Dr. Bakare Hassan Oladipo, expressed gratitude to the EVC/CEO for the collaboration saying: “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.”
