The African University of Science and Technology (AUST) says it is working to change the change the situation where Nigeria is now seen as dumping ground for technologies from abroad. President of the university, Prof. Peter Onwualu said the university’s research is driven towards addressing real societal challenges through patents and innovations aimed at solving societal problems, bridging the “innovation valley of death” and pushing for stronger government support.
He said Nigeria now seen as dumping ground for technologies from abroad had got to the extent that even locally-produced technologies were jettisoned by citizens who often prefer imported products. “The driving factor is to contribute in solving problems in areas such as infrastructure, energy, water and transportation.
For years we published research papers, but we knew their real value lay in becoming products and services driven by technology,” he said. He said the AUSTInspire Hub incubates ideas which they nurture into solutions. Manager of the AUSTInspire Hub, Kingsley Ogwudu explained that the hub fosters collaboration between academia and industry to develop transformative products that drive social and economic progress in Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa.
According to him, through incubation and partnerships, AUST has generated patents targeted at practical needs, which include continuous process biodiesel production plant (2020), method of improving rheological properties of potassiumbased bentonite clay (2021), tensioner pulley actuated intermediate shaft multiple banana fibre extractor (2024), manual flywheel banana fibre extraction machine (2024), non-woody biomass chopping machine (2024), double shaft hammer mill for barite powder production (2025), banana stem longitudinal slicing machine (2025), flywheelenergised manual biomass briquetting machine (2025), starch-based biodegradable plastic production machine (2025), propeller feeding electrostatic minerals separating machine (2025) and slurry disc impeller froth flotation mineral separating machine (2025).
The AUST president emphasised that the institution partners with industry players from the start to ensure innovations move beyond research and into practical use. By connecting students, researchers, and industry, AUST creates an ecosystem that fosters creativity, experimentation and growth.
