The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) has commissioned the 10th upgraded Chemistry Laboratory at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS) under the NOTAP-Industry Research Laboratory Upgrade Programme (NIRLUP).

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony held at the Centre for Advanced Sciences and Analytical Services, UDUS, the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN, represented by NOTAP’s Director General, Dr. Obiageli Amadiobi, said Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) are critical to national development and must be strengthened.

The Minister commended NOTAP’s consistency in partnering with key stakeholders such as PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc to provide and upgrade critical infrastructure for Nigeria’s educational institutions.

He noted that upgrading the Chemistry Laboratory at UDUS will give students the opportunity to undertake critical experiments and produce research and development (R&D) results that can translate into tangible goods and services for societal benefit.

According to the Minister, the global index for measuring a country’s development and economic viability no longer depends solely on mineral resources, but on technological advancement. In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration, NOTAP has partnered with multinational companies to drive other intervention programmes aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s industrialization.

While congratulating the University’s management and community, he challenged researchers to maximize the use of the equipment to deliver tangible research outcomes for the benefit of Nigerians and beyond.

In her welcome address, delivered by the Director, Technology Innovation and Commercialization (TIC) Department, Mrs. Ada Oladuke, the NOTAP Director General explained that NIRLUP began in 2014 as a voluntary scheme to link academia with industry and strengthen Nigeria’s research infrastructure.

Dr. Amadiobi stressed that the role of science, technology and innovation in driving economic sustainability and societal progress cannot be overemphasized. As the nation’s technology regulatory agency, NOTAP sought industry partnerships to upgrade research facilities in knowledge institutions.

She noted that PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc partnered with NOTAP to support research in the chemical sciences and engineering. Under the partnership, PZ Cussons funded the upgrade of chemistry and chemical  engineering laboratories in ten institutions: National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT), Zaria; University of Calabar (UNICAL); Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH), Yola; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike; Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike; University of Jos; University of Port Harcourt; Federal University of Technology, Akure; and Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.

In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of PZ Cussons, Mr. Dimitris Kostianis, represented by the Head of Corporate Services and Projects, said he was pleased that the MoU signed between PZ Cussons, NOTAP and the beneficiary universities is yielding positive results. He reaffirmed PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc’s commitment to improving the lives of its customers, communities, stakeholders, and society at large.

The CEO added that PZ shares NOTAP’s vision of domesticating technical know-how and providing infrastructure to embed and conduct research locally. He expressed pride in the company’s partnership with NOTAP on both the NIRLUP scheme and the NOTAP-Industry Technology Transfer Fellowship (NITTF).

The Vice Chancellor of UDUS, Prof. Bashir Garba, expressed delight over the laboratory upgrade, noting that the institution is now better equipped to conduct critical research.