The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has recognised the innovation of a Nigerian physicist, Jamilu Tanko, whose groundbreaking solution is poised to transform small and medium-scale industries.
Tanko’s Cyclone Furnace offers a cost-effective and efficient solution for drying products, making it highly beneficial to industries like baking, pharmaceuticals, rice mills, paper mills, brickmaking and local communities.
Tanko, a principal scientist at the Hydraulic Equipment Development Institute (HEDI) in Kano, under the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), designed the Cyclone Furnace using waste materials such as rice husks as fuel. This innovation is expected to significantly improve productivity and competitiveness in industries that rely on drying processes.
NASENI discovered and recognised Tanko’s talent, acknowledging the potential of his Cyclone Furnace to enhance local industries and reduce dependence on imported equipment. The agency is committed to supporting Tanko’s work, ensuring that his technology reaches its full potential and benefits industries across Nigeria.
Hailing from Kura local government area of Kano State, Tanko holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in physics from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and is currently pursuing his PhD at the same institution. His passion for developing more efficient heating equipment, such as furnaces and boilers, led him to develop the Cyclone Furnace in 2023.
Once fully completed, the Cyclone Furnace will be able to dry the same quantity of rice in 10-12 hours, a vast improvement over the 48 hours required by imported furnaces. A member of the Nigerian Institute of Physics, Tanko’s innovation is expected to revolutionise several industries and improve operational efficiency nationwide. NASENI, established by Decree No. 33 of 1992, aims to empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by imparting technological knowledge and practices for producing world-class equipment. The agency’s mission is to promote sustainable industrialisation and support local capital goods and industries in Nigeria.
