Dr. Afolabi, while delivering the 16th Convocation Lecture of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso on the topic “Towards a sustainable blue economy and marine development in Nigeria: trends, challenges and prospects”, noted that the country has many untapped opportunities in the maritime sector.

He said developing the country’s blue economy is now more imperative than ever due to the government’s policy of moving away from the largely one-product economy that Nigeria has been running for decades.

He said:

“Serious attention should be devoted to the development of our coastlines by the government as this could spur huge recreational and economic activities around such localities. Coastal tourism development has the potential to provide socio-economic benefits to Nigeria, especially during this period when the Nigerian government is trying to diversify the economy from being a predominantly crude oil-based economy to a multi-product economy, which can withstand the volatility in oil prices in the world market.

“One other lucrative sector within the blue economy concept is the opportunity for harvesting renewable energy. Renewable energies, such as wind, solar, hydro, and tidal energy, are energy alternatives to fossil fuels that can contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of the maritime sector.

“Offshore wind energy is also a real and promising form of renewable energy generated by offshore wind turbines, which makes it possible to take advantage of strong ocean winds for electricity generation later exported to land where it is consumed in several economic activities. In turn, solar energy can be used in power navigation and communication ships’ systems and equipment and those of other floating structures.”

Afolabi further noted that the country can learn from the experience of Phillipines which has deployed more seafarers in the global shipping business than any other country.

He said the country needs to develop a robust maritime educational curriculum that takes into cognizance technology, trends, and the dynamic nature of the industry.

Afolabi, however, cautioned that tapping the potential in the blue economy should be done responsibly and sustainably.

He identified some of the sustainable measures of using the country’s ocean resources. These include the promotion of sustainable aquaculture practices, modern environmental waste management, monitoring, control, and surveillance of Nigeria’s territorial waters, and improvement of maritime safety and security.

Others are the preservation of marine ecosystems, addressing the challenge of pollution in coastal areas, enactment of laws that promote the blue economy and proper regulation by relevant government agencies.

The visit aimed to inform the SIFAX Group Chairman of happenings in the University and also formally invite him to give the convocation lecture at the University’s next convocation in April 2024.

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Forty-five (45) tertiary institutions were shortlisted for the competition, out of which four made it to the finals in Aba.

Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Federal University of Technology Minna (FUTMINNA), Federal University Otuoke (FUOTUOKE) and University of Nigerian Nsukka (UNN) were the finalists and are ranked according to their performance (scores) in the competition:

1st University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN)

2nd Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH)

3rd Federal University Otuoke (FUOTUOKE)

4th Federal University of Technology Minna (FUTMINNA)

The Nigerian Genius

The Nigerian Genius Engineering Competition (Campus Edition) brought together Nigeria’s brightest minds in tertiary institutions to solve Nigeria’s toughest engineering and manufacturing challenges.

Tochukwu Chukwueke, the Lead Coordinator of Nigerian Genius, spoke to TechEconomy.ng about the process of the event:

“They learnt Advanced Engineering Skills from industry experts and were given access to Precision Manufacturing Equipment at CLINTONEL Advanced Engineering Centre Aba to build engineering and manufacturing solutions for Nigeria.

“These young geniuses spent two weeks at the CLINTONEL Advanced Engineering Centre Aba undergoing intensive training on engineering and different manufacturing processes including: Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Product Design and Development, Computer Aided Design (CAD), Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM), 3D Printing, Laser Engraving, Laser Cutting, CNC lathe machining, CNC 4-axis Machining, Welding, Fabrication, Metal Casting, etc.

“A team of experts mentored and guided the students (contestants) for the 2-week period as they deploy the skills acquired to design and build different engineering products and solutions.

“To facilitate industry-academia collaborations, industry experts teamed up with engineering lecturers to mentor the students, including a professor of mechanical engineering”.

Continuing, Chukwueke, said the Nigerian Genius Engineering Competition was set up to draw national attention to engineering as a critical part of manufacturing and national development.

He said that this will further inspire tertiary institutions to improve their engineering education, paying more attention to industry relevant skills and Project Based Learning; equip engineering students with essential industry and manufacturing skills, and boost local manufacturing, resulting in employment generation and economic development.

“Through Project Based Learning approach the contestants were trained to acquire essential industry and manufacturing skills which they deployed to build products using different manufacturing processes”.

Image: Mobile Phone Charger

The students built the following products which Nigeria currently imports:

• Mobile Phone Chargers (produced through electronics design software, PCB CNC milling and 3D printing)
• Adjustable Tables (produced through metal fabrication)
• Engine Parts (crank shaft produced through metal casting and connecting rod produced through CNC machining)
• Plastic enclosures and engravings (produced through laser cutting and engraving)

“This builds capacity for local production of goods which will boost Nigeria’s economy and strengthen the Naira”, Chukwueke, explained.

The challenge: Solving Nigeria’s Power (Energy) Problem

Chukwueke who is also the founder of Clintonel Innovation Centre, said that the contestants were given a challenge to design and build solutions for Nigeria’s power (energy) problems using renewable energy sources.

Team UNN (Benstowe Destiny, Uzodinma Somto, David Okenwa) designed and built a Portable Water-Powered Electricity Generator that can be installed in every home with overhead water tank. It also includes an Energy Management System which monitors and displays power generation, consumption and reserve.

This innovative product will make free electricity available in virtually every home in Nigeria

Team LAUTECH (Oyewo Taoheed Oyetayo, Abisoye Akinloye Samson, Ayanwole Iyanuloluwa Moses) designed and built a Hybrid Solar and Wind Electricity Generation System which includes a tracking and positioning system for the solar panels.

Their system provides energy both in the day from sun and at night from wind.

Team FUOTUOKE (Udo Success Ifunanyachi, Nwaneri Ifeanyi Vincent, Sampson Hekagemkosiem Ojum) designed and built an Inverter and Automated Solar Tracking and Positioning System for solar panels.

This will significantly improve the power generated from solar panels.

Team FUTMINNA (Abdullahi Adeyemi Asimiyu, Reheemah Alayaki, Attahiru Jibril) designed and built a Hybrid Solar and Wind Electricity Generation System with a mobile phone tracking function.

This enables consumers to track their energy generation, sharing and consumption on the go wherever they might be.

Engineering for Industry (E4I)

“The Nigerian Genius is implemented under Engineering for Industry (E4I), a national program designed by Clintonel Innovation Centre (CIC) Aba to bridge the engineering skills gap in Nigeria, facilitate industry-academia collaborations and drive industrialisation.

“Clintonel is partnering with tertiary institutions nationwide delivering industry-focused capacity building for engineering lecturers, students, and fresh graduates. Over 570 engineering lecturers and students from 4 tertiary institutions have been trained under E4I.

Similarly, three indigenous STEM kits have been designed and developed with which 881 secondary school teachers/students have been trained on STEM”, he said.

Introduction to Clintonel Innovation Centre (CIC)

He further said that the Nigerian Genius was designed and implemented by Clintonel Innovation Centre (CIC) – a solar powered STEM Centre, Nigeria’s first Makerspace (Engineering Tech Hub) and Hardware Startup Incubator.

Interestingly, Clintonel provides training, mentoring and equipment for young people to create engineering innovations, build indigenous products and start up technology businesses.

With a vision to facilitate industrialisation in Nigeria, Clintonel has trained over 600 young persons in Computer Aided Design (CAD), Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM), Renewable (Solar) Energy and Entrepreneurship. Hardware Startups incubated by Clintonel are now producing different indigenous products, employing several young persons and helping to reduce poverty in Nigeria. Clintonel is also working towards building medical equipment in Nigeria, in partnership with University College London (UCL) and COVIDaction (UKaid).

“In an effort to build and support the Nigerian hardware ecosystem, Clintonel started Hardware Nigeria Community (HNC) – a national network of Nigerian inventors, engineers, makers, investors and hardware entrepreneurs working to build hardware products and businesses in Nigeria.

“To deliver on the mandate of building engineering capacity, generating employment and reducing poverty in Nigeria, Clintonel has worked with different partners including: PIND Foundation, ACT Foundation, Royal Academy of Engineering, Ford Foundation, Autodesk, ATOM, GEMINI, UKaid, UCL, etc”, Chukwueke explained.

Clintonel is a licensed Autodesk Learning Partner (ALP) and Authorised Testing Centre (ATC) for different International Certifications on Technical and Engineering Skills.

The Nigerian Genius is supported by ACT Foundation, Engineering X (Royal Academy of Engineering), CLINTONEL Advanced Engineering Centre and Autodesk.

This initiative further lends credence to IHS Towers’ commitment to developing the information technology space for Nigerian Youths.

The innovation hub, built and equipped by IHS Nigeria, will initially impact more than 3000 people with a year-on-year increase.

Designed to provide cutting-edge digital and technological equipment, the hub will enhance experiential learning in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, autotronics, robotics, digital marketing and blockchain.

The LAUTECH innovation hub will develop existing ICT expertise through the provision of training, innovations, and an enabling environment.

Commenting on the project, Mohamad Darwish, the Chief Executive Officer for IHS Nigeria, reiterates the company’s commitment to creating a better future for Nigerian youths using technology as a catalyst.

He says, “The importance of technology innovation hubs cannot be overstated. It’s a quick way to create jobs and bridge the gap between the developed and developing world. We urge members of the university community to use the opportunity of the hub to its maximum potential.”

Mr Darwish further commended the Oyo State government for its commitment to growing the ICT sector. “The Oyo State Government’s partnership in facilitating the creation of the LAUTECH Innovation Hub is highly commendable; this will no doubt contribute optimally to the economic development of the state and country,” he said.

The LAUTECH innovation Hub by IHS Towers is equipped with 120 cutting-edge technology machines for robotics, AI, Data Science, and machine learning. The hub also has an exhibition hall, auto and mini engineering workshop, research laboratory, electronics lab, robotics lab, lecture rooms, server room and administrative offices.