ABU’s ACENPEE Boosts Research Capacity with ₦120m Lab Equipment for Engineering Departments

The Africa Centre of Excellence on New Pedagogies in Engineering Education (ACENPEE), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria has procured laboratory equipment for four academic departments of the institution. 

The equipment, worth N120 million, were handed over to the beneficiary departments at a brief but colourful ceremony. 

The event, which was presided over by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, took place at ACENPEE Office today (Monday, 23rd February, 2026). 

The beneficiary departments are Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Water Resources and Environmental Engineering.

The equipment are part of DLI 4.3, Milestone 3, which is teaching/learning environment, as approved by the World Bank prior to the closure of the project in June 2025.

Speaking at the occasion, the Centre Leader, Prof Raymond B Bako, stated that as part of its project, ACENPEE decided provide laboratory equipment to four participating departments.

Prof Bako, who is also the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, explained that they tried to be fair to all the departments by ensuring that all of them received equipment worth N30 million each.

According to him, the project was their own way of supporting the development of the university in terms of teaching, research, and innovation.

He said all the interventions were approved by the World Bank prior to the closure of the project.

Prof Bako also said other departments within the Faculty of Engineering could also make use of the equipment.

The Centre Leader thanked the Vice-Chancellor and the University Management for their unwavering support towards the success of the project.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, appreciated ACENPEE and the Centre Leader for the procurement of the laboratory equipment.

Prof Ahmed noted that despite the closure of the project, ACENPEE continued to support the growth and development of the university.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed delight receiving the equipment on behalf of Council, Management and the University Senate.

He said he was glad that Prof Bako put together some of the finest staff in the university to actualize the ACENPEE project.

Prof Ahmed appealed to the beneficiary departments to give access to other departments within the university who may wish to use them.

In a vote of thanks, the Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Prof J M Kaura, disclosed that the equipment were the greatest intervention the faculty had received in recent times.

Prof Kaura assured the Vice-Chancellor that all the 10 departments offering 13 programmes within the faculty would be given access to the equipment whenever the need arises.

The Dean thanked the Centre Leader of ACENPEE for the gesture, describing it as the best of its kind.

The event was attended the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof Bello Sabo; and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Advancement, Research and Innovation, Prof Sanusi Aliyu Rafindadi.

Others were Director, Directorate of Academic Planning and Monitoring, Prof Bello Mukhtar; Deans; Directors; Heads of Departments; and staff of ACENPEE, among others.