The University of Lagos, In collaboration with the National Universities Commission (NUC) recently organized the 3rd Nigerian Universities Research and Development Fair (NURESDEF). The three-day non-competitive fair, which was held at the Multi-purpose Hall, University of Lagos from Wednesday March 26 to Friday March 28, had as its theme: Building Partnership for Research and Development.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos Professor Tolu Odugbemi, said: "Our Universities and Research Institutes have continued to carry out innovative research projects’, this fair will highlight these innovative and creative efforts and provide opportunities for networking and collaboration among institutions. The fair will also provide a forum for industry to select research out puts for further development and commercialization."

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Professor Juluis Okojie identified research as a critical aspect of any national development.
According to him, Nigeria’s dream of being among the largest economies by 2020 cannot be realized unless it is focused on research.

He called for collaborations between Universities and Industries to achieve this goal, Professor Okogie also urged researchers not to rely on Universities for funding but make earnings for their research.
In her keynote address, Omowumi Sadik, Professor of Chemistry, State University of New York, dwelt extensively on why research and development should be promoted.

In a paper entitled: Partnership Through Research and Development: Towards Innovation and Economic Correctness, she listed the gains of research and development partnership to include creation of more knowledge, new jobs and industries, solving numerous health challenges, enhancing the ability to address environment, safety and energy issues, and nurturing new types of technological infrastructure.

The fair, which provided a platform for Nigerian universities to showcase their achievements and development-oriented research projects and programmes witnessed the participation of a large number of universities, research institutions especially universities of Technology and Agriculture. Also in attendance were some non-university based institutions. Among a host of other participants were; the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi and Babcock University, Illishan-Remo.

Host University, the University of Lagos, was also represented. Others include Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, University of Technology Akure, Ladoke Akintola University, Osun State University, Covenant University, Ota, Igbinedion University, Okada and Kano University of Science and Technology. MtoM Technology and Green Circle Network Africa, May and Baker, First Bank Plc, Chartered Institute of Taxation are some non-university based participants.

The participants showcased varied research outputs. Federal University of Technology, Minna exhibited quite a number of innovative equipment and machinery such as mechanical Textile Testing machine, PQ Emulsion Paints, (with natural rubber), portable Mobile Fish Hatchery, Kerosene Automated Suya/Chicken Roaster and pineapple bread that is said to be diabetic friendly. Babcock University too displayed an array of Confectionery made from Cassava flour among several other products.

A lecturer in the University, Dr (Mrs) Yetunde Makinde, Head of Department of Agriculture and Industrial Technology said: "We decided to replace some of the wheat based products with cassava and we have been able to raise it to, about 75 per cent. We did some content analysis and we compared the products with other products made from wheat flour and there was not much difference."

Federal University of Technology Owerri had at its stand a number of items of its innovative and creative products. Some of these include Cassava Suction Miller Machine, Millenum Kerosene Cooking Stove among others. At the UNN stand, Some of the machinery on display include, Egusi Shredding Machine, Solar Cooker, and Multiple Grinding System bearing three separate machines for more effective and quick services.

Like every other exhibitor, Igbinedion University stand showcased outstanding homegrown technologies for further development and commercialization. These include; Teaching equipment mechanism such as Compression Spring Testing Machine, Simple Wheel Exite Machine. Also on display were Motorized Multiple Plantain Slicing Machine, Palm Kernel Cracking and Selecting Machine, Arch Welding Machine, Step up/down Transformers for use in small and medium scale industries as well as Heavy Duty Palm Kennel Cracking Machine.

Daily Sun sought to find out why over the years, the projects still remained at the crude stage of their inventors. Engineer Isaac Ownuzo, Chief Technologist College of Engineering Igbinedion University said; "The problem is that government is not serious about the local technology by implementation. They will say all good things, but nothing positive actually comes out of it. Some of the things we produce to teach our students are to reduce cost, because we can do them."

He expressed the hope that encouragement would come some day. "And when they’re done overseas, the manufacturers have their agents. So, you find out we are paying for the agents, we pay for the services, transportation, and the material and for packaging. And when it lands here, it lands with four or five hundred per cent and we’re comfortable. We hope that if we’re encouraged, we will be able to do better. And we can also send it to other countries and make money for our country".

Other universities such as Osun state university, Covenant, Ladoke Akintola University and Kano University of Science and Technology also showcased their various research out puts tailored towards local needs. However, the fact still remains that with these laudable projects designed by Nigerian Universities and other research institutes, much still needs to be done in the area of development.
Professor Dalha A. Muazu, Chaiman, University Board of Research, Federal University of Technology Minna; Niger State spoke on some challenges: "What happens is that a lot of these inventions actually are in the universities? This fair gives us the opportunity to display what we have and then, look for an avenue for collaboration with the industry.

‘This interface with the industries’ according to him, "has been missing for a long time. We have an interface with the government because we receive a lot of our source of funding from the government. But universities-industries cooperation is very, very minimal. And we could develop this research and then, they could be used in industry. It will benefit both the universities, industries and the nation at large".

"The government or industries import these things from abroad. But all what we have here, have been developed by the Mechanical Department of this university. And it will save the country a lot of money. We can do it. Basically, what we need is cooperation of industry so that we can develop these things and we don’t have to import again".