Researchers from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomosho and Federal University of Technology (FUT) in Minna have recently presented their research and development (R&D) products funded by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI). The showcase took place at the Technology Orientation Centre (TOC) at NASENI’s headquarters in Abuja, and was attended by the Agency’s senior management, including research directors.
The presentation 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. Professor Abass Alade from LAUTECH focused on the “Treatment of Aquaculture Waste Water Using Waste Banana and Plantain Stem Juice Composite Through Integrated Filtracoagulation Cascade System.” Associate Professor Jimoh Oladejo Tijani from FUT developed a “Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes-Iron Tungstate Composite for Industrial Wastewater Purification,” while Dr. Sanusi Kolawole from LAUTECH worked on the “Development of Nano-coating Green Urea Fertilizer for Agricultural Production Enhancement.”
Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive of NASENI, was represented by Research Director Dr. Samuel O. Olusunle, who commended the professors for their effective use of the funds and their contributions to advancing knowledge and technology. Professor Abass Alade, speaking on behalf of his colleagues, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, highlighting the successful collaboration and its impact, including the development of agency-academia linkages, facility improvements, and the training of undergraduates and postgraduates involved in the research.
Professor Alade also called for additional funding from NASENI to scale up production and commercialize the innovations through partnerships with the private sector. NASENI Research Director Dr. Patrick Okwu thanked the researchers for their work and suggested including production costs in future presentations to enhance public accessibility. Engr. Prof. Abdulmalik Onuwe, another NASENI Research Director, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration and emphasized the importance of expanding research outcomes to benefit the manufacturing sector.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Bakare Hassan Oladipo, Deputy Director and Head of the Research Laboratory Development Department, commended the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive for supporting the initiative. He highlighted NASENI’s commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration between Nigeria’s top academic institutions and the Agency’s R&D efforts.