FUTIA VC Calls for Need-Based Research to Drive National Development

The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Ikot Abasi (FUTIA), Prof. Leo Daniel, has urged Nigerian military authorities, industry leaders, research institutes, and academia to prioritize need-based research to drive national development.

He made this call at the Defence Research and Development Bureau Annual Seminar and Exhibition 2024, held at the National Defence College in Abuja.

Delivering the keynote lecture at the seminar themed “Enhancing Synergy in Research and Development Towards a Robust Military Industrial Complex in Nigeria,” Prof. Daniel emphasized that numerous research efforts by academic and research institutions remain underutilized, often confined to laboratories without practical application. He stressed the importance of conducting thorough needs assessments to identify research areas that address critical national and industry challenges.

Prof. Daniel, a Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, advocated for stronger collaboration between government agencies and stakeholders to support the development of an indigenous Military Industrial Complex (MIC). According to him, fostering synergy in research and development will create value chains, facilitate technology transfer, reduce capital flight, and bolster Nigeria’s defense capabilities.

“Nigeria has the potential to build a robust military-industrial base,” Prof. Daniel remarked. “We need to align our research with national needs and invest in technology that strengthens our territorial integrity.”

He called on the government, international oil companies, and industry stakeholders to invest in the MIC, adding that such investment would advance the country’s defense and industrial economy. He also highlighted the role of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, in revolutionizing defense research.

FUTIA, Prof. Daniel pledged, is committed to collaborating with the Defence Research and Development Bureau and other agencies to conduct specialized research in aerospace engineering and provide advanced manpower training in its flagship programmes.

The event saw Prof. Daniel receive an award from Major General E. A. Ndagi, Director General of the Defence Research and Development Bureau, in recognition of his contributions to the field. The seminar also featured goodwill messages from key government officials, including the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji; and Chief of Defence Staff, General C. G. Musa, alongside exhibitions of cutting-edge military infrastructure.