Researchers from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and the Federal University of Technology presented their research and development products funded by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure.
In a statement on Monday, NASENI disclosed that the projects, which began in April 2023 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between NASENI and three professors from the universities, showcased innovative solutions in water treatment, industrial wastewater purification, and agricultural production enhancement.
LAUTECH lecturer, Professor Abass Alade, presented a system for treating aquaculture wastewater using waste banana and plantain stem juice composite.
Associate Professor Jimoh Oladejo Tijani from FUT showcased a composite material for industrial wastewater purification, while Sanusi Kolawole from LAUTECH presented a nano-coating technology for green urea fertilizer production.
The Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Khalil Halilu, represented by Research Director, Samuel Olusunle, in his welcome address, appreciated the professors for making judicious use of the funds for the publication of their research works and the development of the products.
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 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 commercialise them through the tripartite relationship between NASENI, academia and private sector operators.
NASENI Research Director, Patrick Okwu, 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, Abdulmalik Onuwe, expressed enthusiasm for the NASENI-university collaboration and emphasized the importance of expanding the research deliverables to benefit the manufacturing sector.
The Deputy Director and Head of the Research Laboratory Development Department, Science Infrastructure Directorate, NASENI, Dr Bakare 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.”