Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, Prof. Leo Daniel, with representative of Defence Research and Development Bureau, after signing an MoU for research partnership.
The Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi – FUTIA, Professor Leo Daniel has said the University will partner the Defence Research and Development Bureau (DRDB) to promote indigenous research and technological transfer towards solving national challenges.
Prof. Daniel made the pledge on Wednesday, 2nd April, 2025 when he received along with other Principal Officers of the University the Director General of Defence Research and Development Bureau (DRDB), Major General Emmanuel Ndagi, on a courtesy call at the take-off campus of the University, Ikot Abasi.
DRDB is a bureau under the Federal Ministry of Defence.
The University don who is a Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics said FUTIA is a specialised institution established to champion academic excellence in Sciences, Technology and Innovation (STI) with the motto: “Innovation Drives Transformation”.
He listed FUTIA’s flagship programmes to include Aerospace Engineering, Naval Architecture, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering among others with rich faculties and researchers in various fields.
He noted that the Defence Research and Development Bureau (DRDB) has made the right choice in seeking collaboration with the Institution considering the academic capabilities and research focus of the University.
He pledged the Institution’s readiness to undertake need-based researches that are tailored towards their needs and develop indigenous technologies that will satisfy specific needs of the Bureau.
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Earlier in his remarks, the Director General of Defence Research and Development Bureau (DRDB), Major General Emmanuel Ndagi, thanked the Vice Chancellor and Management team of FUTIA for the reception.
Major General Ndagi, who was represented by the Director of Land Forces of the Bureau, Brigadier General Nsikak Edet, stated the readiness of the Bureau to leverage on the firm research base and rich faculty of the Federal University of Technology Ikot Abasi towards finding indigenous and technology driven solutions to the needs of the Bureau.
The Director General used the occasion to express the appreciation of the Bureau to the Vice Chancellor of FUTIA, Prof. Leo Daniel who was a Resource Person during the Defence Research and Development Bureau Annual Seminar & Exhibition 2024 held on 15th October 2024 at the National Defence College, Abuja where he presented a paper on the theme: “Enhancing Synergy in Research and Development Towards a Robust Military Industrial Complex in Nigeria”.
In the delegation of the DRDB was the Deputy Director of Coordination, Navy Captain N. J. Diyoke.
High-points of the courtesy visit was the presentation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal University of Technology Ikot Abasi and the Defence Research and Development Bureau as well as exchange of mementos.
At the visit, FUTIA presented the Prototype Designs of its proposed Aerodrome and Naval Yacht which are basic infrastructure for the Aerospace and Naval Architecture Programmes undertaken by the University calling on the DRDB, government at all levels, multinationals and other investors to invest towards bringing the projects to fruition.
The Projects upon completion will serve as research facilities for the University, Industries within the Region and the country as well as boast socio-economic potentials of the University and the country.
The event equally featured thought provoking interactions and reviews of latest research works undertaken by the FUTIA faculty on various research areas including Artificial Intelligence, Mapping Systems, Infrared, Industrial Drone Systems, Robotics, Unmanned Rotorcraft Vehicles, Composite Material Designs, Mechatronics, Information System Infrastructure, Aeronautics & Astronautics among others which are components of the MOU.
The Registrar of FUTIA, Mrs. Offiongita Nkang expressed appreciation to the Director General of the Defence Research and Development Bureau, the DRDB Delegation and the entire Bureau for the visit.
She lauded the Bureau for trusting the University to undertake research that will cater for the specific needs of the Bureau and the industries.
Members of the University’s management team present during the courtesy call were, the University Bursar, Dr Mbobo Mbobo, University Librarian, Prof. Philip Akor, Provosts of Schools, Heads of Departments and Directors of Directorates.
