ATBU Advances STEM Innovation with Breakthrough Projects and Distinguished Researchers

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) continues to establish itself as a hub for cutting-edge research and technological innovation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), with faculty and students driving impactful projects across multiple disciplines.

1. Renewable Energy and Water Purification
Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical/Production Engineering, led a team that developed a solar-powered water purification system targeting rural communities in Bauchi State. The photovoltaic-driven filtration system provides safe drinking water, addressing health challenges in underserved areas and improving access to clean water.

2. Sustainable Civil Engineering Practices
Engr. Prof. M. A. Abdulwahab, Faculty of Engineering and Engineering Technology, spearheaded research on eco-friendly concrete production using rice husk ash and laterite. His innovations offer cost-effective, sustainable solutions for the Nigerian construction sector and have influenced contemporary civil engineering practices nationwide.

3. Student Innovations in Automated Irrigation
A team of ATBU engineering students — Fatima Yusuf, Suleiman Danjuma, and Emmanuel Okonkwo — won the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) Innovation Challenge 2022 with their IoT-based automated irrigation system. Their low-cost prototype optimizes water usage for agriculture, and the students later presented the project at the African Engineering Conference, gaining international recognition.

4. Local Technological Solutions by the Centre for Industrial Studies (CIS)
ATBU’s CIS has designed and deployed locally fabricated machines to support agricultural and industrial development in Bauchi and neighboring states:

• Cassava peeling machine to enhance agro-processing efficiency.
• Mobile solar dryer for the preservation of perishable farm produce.

5. Partnership with NASENI for Healthcare Innovation
During the COVID-19 pandemic, ATBU collaborated with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to develop locally assembled ventilators. The initiative, led by Dr. Amina Bello, a biomedical engineer at ATBU, strengthened healthcare capacity in Nigeria and earned national commendation for its practical impact.

These achievements demonstrate ATBU’s commitment to STEM-driven solutions, bridging academic research with societal needs, and fostering sustainable technological growth in Nigeria.