NASENI-Funded Researchers Showcase Innovative Solutions
By Patience Ikpeme
Researchers from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) and Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna have unveiled innovative solutions to pressing national challenges, following funding from the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).
The research projects, presented at the NASENI headquarters in Abuja, focused on addressing environmental and agricultural issues. Professor Abass Alade from LAUTECH developed a method for treating aquaculture wastewater using waste banana and plantain stems, while Associate Professor Jimoh Oladejo Tijani from FUT Minna created a composite for industrial wastewater purification. Dr. Sanusi Kolawole from LAUTECH introduced a nano-coating green urea fertilizer to enhance agricultural productivity.
NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman, represented by Research Director Dr. Samuel O. Olusunle, commended the researchers for effectively utilizing the provided funds. The agency emphasized the importance of such collaborations in driving technological advancement and addressing national challenges.
Professor Alade highlighted the project’s achievements, including the establishment of a sustainable agency-academia partnership, development of research facilities, and capacity building for students. He called for continued support from NASENI to scale up production and commercialize the developed products.
NASENI research directors Dr. Patrick Okwu and Professor Abdulmalik Onuwe expressed satisfaction with the collaboration and encouraged the researchers to include production cost estimates in future presentations for better public understanding.
The showcased research projects demonstrate the potential of Nigerian researchers to develop practical solutions to critical challenges. NASENI’s support for these initiatives is seen as a crucial step towards fostering innovation and technological advancement in the country.
Professor Abass Alade from the Department of Chemical Engineering, LAUTECH, presented his research on the “Treatment of Aquaculture Waste Water Using Waste Banana and Plantain Stem Juice Composite Through Integrated Filtracoagulation Cascade System.” This innovative approach leverages waste materials to purify aquaculture wastewater, demonstrating a sustainable and cost-effective solution for the industry.
Associate Professor Jimoh Oladejo Tijani of the Department of Chemistry, FUT Minna, showcased his work on the “Development of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes-Iron Tungstate Composite for Industrial Wastewater Purification.” This project focuses on creating advanced materials for the efficient purification of industrial wastewater, addressing critical environmental challenges.
Dr. Sanusi Kolawole from the Department of Pure and Applied Physics, LAUTECH, highlighted his development of “Nano-coating Green Urea Fertilizer for Agricultural Production Enhancement.” This cutting-edge fertilizer aims to improve agricultural productivity while minimizing environmental impact.
The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, represented by Research Director Dr. Samuel O. Olusunle, commended the professors for their prudent use of funds in both the publication of their research and the development of innovative products. He emphasized NASENI’s dedication to fostering meaningful collaborations between academia and the agency to drive technological advancements.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Professor Abass Alade expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity provided by NASENI, stating, “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.”
Professor Alade also outlined key achievements of the projects, including the establishment of a sustainable agency-academia linkage, development of facilities through the acquisition of equipment and resources, and the enhancement of human resources, involving both undergraduate and postgraduate students in the research endeavors.
He called for continued funding from NASENI to facilitate the mass production and commercialization of the developed products through a tripartite relationship involving NASENI, academia, and private sector operators.
NASENI Research Director, Dr. Patrick Okwu, thanked the researchers for their partnership and urged them to include production costs in future presentations to make the information more accessible to the general public.
Additionally, NASENI Research Director, Engr. Prof. Abdulmalik Onuwe, expressed enthusiasm for the NASENI-university collaboration, emphasizing the importance of expanding research deliverables to benefit the manufacturing sector.
The event underscores NASENI’s commitment to supporting innovative research and its application in addressing critical challenges in Nigeria’s industrial and agricultural sectors.
