The executive vice chairman/chief executive of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu has lauded the academic staff of several universities for making judicious use of the funds for their research and product development.
Halilu, who was speaking during his welcome address at the presentation of research and development work by several academic staff from universities whose research were funded by the NASENI, praised the researchers for their dedication and the tangible outcomes of their work.
Researchers from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho, Oyo State and Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, Niger State, recently showcased their research and development (R&D) products funded by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).
The presentation took place at the Technology Orientation Centre (TOC) at NASENI headquarters in Abuja and was witnessed by the agency’s top management, led by research directors. This event 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 from the Department of Chemical Engineering at LAUTECH focused his research on the “Treatment of Aquaculture Wastewater Using Waste Banana and Plantain Stem Juice Composite Through Integrated Filtracoagulation Cascade System.” Dr. Jimoh Tijani from the Department of Chemistry at FUT, Minna, researched the “Development of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes-Iron Tungstate Composite for Industrial Wastewater Purification.” Dr. Sanusi Kolawole from the Department of Pure and Applied Physics at LAUTECH focused on the “Development of Nano-coating Green Urea Fertiliser for Agricultural Production Enhancement.”
Halilu, represented by research director, Dr. Samuel Olusunle appreciated the professors for making judicious use of the funds for their research and product development. In his welcome address, he praised the researchers for their dedication and the tangible outcomes of their work.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Professor Abass 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 appreciate every input from NASENI, which has added to our body of knowledge and expanded our capacity.”
He highlighted key achievements of the projects, including the sustainable linkage between the agency and academia, facility development through equipment acquisition, and the human resource development of undergraduates and postgraduates who participated in the research. Alade called for further funding from NASENI to mass-produce and commercialise the products through a tripartite relationship between NASENI, academia, and private sector operators.
NASENI research director, Dr. Patrick Okwu thanked the researchers for their partnership and encouraged them to include production costs in their future presentations to make the information more accessible to the general public. Another NASENI research director, Engr. Prof. Abdulmalik Onuwe expressed enthusiasm for the NASENI-university collaboration and emphasised the importance of expanding research deliverables to benefit the manufacturing sector.
In a statement by the agency’s Deputy Director of Information Chima Akwaja, the 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. He said, “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.”
This event highlights the crucial role of collaborative research in driving innovation and sustainable development in Nigeria, demonstrating the significant impact of academic and agency partnerships in addressing critical challenges and advancing technological progress.
