Research: TETFund Partners NASENI & Defence
BY TEMI OHAKWE – ABUJA – The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) is to collaborate with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the Nigerian Defence/security sector on research to address technological challenges hindering military operations.
The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, who announced this in Abuja when he led the Fund’s Research and Development (R&D) sub-committee on Defence and Security on a visit to the Minister of Defence, Major-General Bashir Magashi (retd), noted that defence operations are now digital, hi-tech, laser-guided and involving innovative technologies.
Prof. Bogor said that NASENI was deliberately included in the defence and security subcommittee for obvious reasons.
The TETFund boss, said the R&D committee will expedite action to ensure that a bill for the proposed National Research and Development Foundation is drafted and forwarded to the National Assembly within the next nine months.
According to him, “The emergence of the foundation will reposition Nigeria technologically adding that most developed countries establishes foundation solely for support of R&D.
“We are requesting that you support the case for the emergence of R & D Foundation. The most competitive technologies and economies in the world have something similar to this”.
Bogoro further said that the sub-committee on Defence and Security is among 13 others under TETFund R&D Standing Committee, Chaired by Prof. Njiddah Gadzama.
Responding, the Minister of Defence, Major-General Bashir Magashi (retd.) expressed support for the establishment of a National Research and Development Foundation to coordinate research efforts to address developmental challenges in the country.
Magashi said; “We are very proud that you are thinking ahead of the future of this country. We encourage this and we will give you the best support”.
The minister said it has become necessary to enhance the development of home-grown solutions to the various needs in every sector of the country.
The Fund’s R&D sub-committee on Defence and Security also paid a visit to the Chief of Naval of Staff, Vice Admiral, Ibok Ekwe Ibas, who commended TETFund and its research committees for inspiring research in the country.
The Tetfund R&D Sub-committee’s aim is to ensure self-reliance of the armed forces of Nigeria in platform and equipment holding through collaborative research with academia and the industry.
