Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Ltd. and the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the view to strengthening technological innovations in the country.
Abimbola Alale, managing director and chief executive officer, NIGCOMSAT Ltd, said the collaboration was aimed at ensuring that the two government agencies reached out to customers with their products.
While welcoming Professor Bala Abdullahi, Vice Chancellor, at the Ground Control Centre in Abuja, Alale said all technology innovations should be registered through the relevant regulatory bodies, noting that if scientific research and technological products are duly registered, the country can claim ownership of such products and make money from it.
She noted that FUT Minna has distinguished itself in research innovations having won many grants and recognitions at the global and national levels.
Alale said NIGCOMSAT products and services, like Staff Attendance And Control System (SAACS), ‘Internet of thing’, Internet Services, e-voting, etc are very much available to impact positively in the country at par with other technology driven economies. She emphasised that the collaboration will further be opened to the academic community.
The Vice Chancellor, expressed happiness on the collaboration between his institution and NIGCOMSAT saying that FUT, Minna is doing its best to improve the quality of education in the country.
He also noted that the MoU is an opportunity for the two government agencies to leverage on what they are doing, adding that “NIGCOMSAT is the right outlet to market research products.”
In his contribution, Engr. Kolawole Raji, executive director, Technical Services, expressed optimism on the MoU and urged all parties to fully implement the terms and letters to encourage home grown technology in line with Executive Order 003-005.
Samson Osagie, executive director, Marketing and Business Development, urged the two agencies to be agents of change and commended those who proposed federal universities of technology all over the country.
One of the highlights of the MoU was the establishment of an African Centre of Excellence with aimed at the academic exchange of post graduates students.
