ABU, PAN Nigeria Sign Deal to Promote Automobile Research, Technology Transfer and Local Content

Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, and PAN Nigeria Limited have signed a deal to establish a strategic partnership aimed at promoting automobile research, innovation, and local content development.

The agreement also seeks to promote technology transfer, manpower development, and industrial competitiveness within Nigeria's automotive ecosystem.

This was contained in a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, jointly signed by both parties at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

The parties moved to strengthen collaboration between industry and academia in ways to support technical development, institutional growth, knowledge sharing, and local capacity building.

They acknowledged that stronger ties between industry and academia support national industrialization and advance indigenous technology. This is in addition to developing technical skills and creating sustainable solutions for the Nigerian automobile sector.

Specifically, the parties agreed to collaborate in areas including automobile research and development, local content development and components localisation.

Other areas include testing, validation, and technical services, human capital development, innovation and technology transfer, knowledge sharing and policy support, repair and maintenance of university vehicles, and driver training and capacity development.

The parties also agreed to raise a joint steering committee comprising representatives from both ABU and PAN to, among others, identify and prioritise areas of collaboration. The committee shall also develop annual work plans, review project implementation progress, and facilitate coordination between the parties.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, signed the MoU on behalf of the university in the presence of the institution's Registrar, Rabiu Samaila.

PAN's Managing Director, Taiwo Oluleye, FCIS, signed the agreement for the automobile company. The firm's Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Adekemi Adebayo, was also present at the MoU signing.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Bello Sabo, and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Raymond B. Bako, were at the MoU signing ceremony.

The Bursar, Malam Aminu Muhammad Bello Gurin, and the Ag. University Librarian, Dr. Abubakar Mohammed Abdullahi, were also present.

The Director, Advancement and International Education, Prof. M.I. Umar-Buratai, the Director, Research and Innovation, Prof. J.J. Maina, and a number of staff members of the Faculty of Engineering attended the event.