The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure ,NASENI, is partnering the University of Abuja to establish a Centre of Excellence in Reverse Engineering and Innovation.
A statement signed by the Deputy Director, Information of NASENI, Mr. Olusegun Ayeoyenikan says the establishment will lead to the creation of indigenous engineering designs and manufacturing towards improving the nation’s local industries.
The statement explains that the Center when established will help Nigeria conserve foreign exchange spending, reduce dependence on importation, cut down capital flight and create employment.
According to the statement, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah presented the proposal to the Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Professor Mohammed Sani Haruna in Abuja.
It explains that the proposed center will provide manufacturing value added processes that will lead to the much desired university-industry linkages that will revolutionize industrial development of the country.
It stresses that the collaboration will enable NASENI staff to easily work with the university as joint research staff in many fronts as the center of Excellence will be located within the University campus.
“It will focus amongst others on furnace manufacturing, energy and power equipment, miscellaneous components and devices and systems, and many more” he added.
In the same vein, Chief of Transformation and Innovation Center of the Nigerian Army, Major General Charles Ofoche, led another delegation on behalf of the Nigeria Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Farouk Yahaya on a courtesy visit to NASENI to revive all existing working collaborations between the Agency and the Nigerian Army especially in the areas of innovation, research and development (R&Ds).
He said with R&Ds, Nigeria can begin the manufacturing of machines and spare parts using its indigenous resources (human and material resources) as the nation could no longer continue to consume imported finished products.
“it is wasteful and lack of diligent exploration of the citizen’s creative minds which had kept Nigeria where it is today’ he stated.
“Until we start producing all the critical machines and spare parts which Nigeria needs up to 80%, we will not meet up with global standard and trends or competitiveness. We need to be competitive in everything we do.”
He explained that R&D is the way to go and with Army applications, the nation can defeat the bad people and make Nigeria better stressing that collaborating with the Agency will enable both parties to nurture the nation’s vast natural resources.
In his response, to his two guests, the Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Professor Mohammed Sani Haruna said the Agency was ready to work with the University of Abuja in establishing the Center of Excellence in reverse engineering and innovation and assured them of the Agency’s readiness to work with them in promoting res for development of the nation’s economy.