The 2021 Science and Technology Expo with the Theme “Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) for Economic Recovery and Sustainability Amidst COVID-19 Challenges” was declared opened on Monday 15th March 2021 by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, who was ably represented by His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, VICE President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as he stated that the Expo is particularly relevant given the new challenges and fresh opportunities presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.
In his address, the Vice President buttressed the fact that no nation in the world has ever developed without proper utilization of Science, Technology, and Innovation and that the country is fully committed to the belief that this must be the path for Nigeria as well. He explained that as a country, we have some of the brightest and best minds in the world in the innovation economy and he is convinced that this cohort can and should be at the vanguard of our efforts, to not only foster economic recovery but to reposition Nigeria entirely as an innovators’ haven.
He also explained the relevance of the Expo in relation to the Executive Order No. 5 (“EO5”) which was issued by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in February 2018, by which all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (“MDAs”) of government were directed to engage indigenous professionals in the planning, design and execution of national security projects and maximize in-country capacity in all contracts and transactions with Science, Engineering and Technology components. Executive Order No. 5 was inspired by the recognition of the vital role of Science, Technology and Innovation in national economic development, especially in promoting domestic goods and services.
Finally, the Vice President declared the Expo opened as he urged all the Researchers, Inventors and Innovators who are participating in the Expo to be steadfast as the government has confidence that their results, products and services will help make Nigeria a truly great nation respected all over the world for its exploit in Science and Technology.
The high point of the opening ceremony was a ceremonial tour of the Vice President to visit the various stands/exhibition centres of various exhibitors and MDAs.
NBRRI was given a special recognition when the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo was led by the Hon. Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, the Minister of State, Science and Technology, Barr. Mohammed Hassan Abdullahi and the Chairperson, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Dr. (Mrs.) Uche Lilian Ekwunife visited NBRRI’s exhibition stand.
Prof. Samson Duna, DG/CEO of NBRRI explained to them the newly fabricated machines displayed by NBRRI which includes, The Manual Rural Road Compactor, the Motorized Road Cutter and Compactor for Road Maintenance, and so on. The visit to NBRRI’s exhibition stand did not just end at the stand as the Vice-President and his team took a special interest in visiting the NBRRI’s Movable House.
There they were briefed on the importance and benefits of the house to the economy of the country. The DG/CEO further explained the process of the construction from the Interlocking Block Making Machine to the roofing tiles and the NBRRI Laminated Bamboo Panel for flooring and ceiling work.
On Wednesday 17th which happened to be the Day-3 of the Expo had a special presentation on NBRRI as ‘NBRRI Day’. At the Expo Pavilion, NBRRI had the opportunity to deliver lectures on its R&Ds. These lectures were well presented as the DG/CEO, Prof. Samson Duna explained in practical terms to the audience what NBRRI as a Research Institute is all about and the roles it has played and still playing in the country as it relates to building and road sectors. He went further to explained the Mission, Vision and Mandates of NBRRI.
He then explained in details some of the R&Ds and interventions NBRRI has done and still doing for the growth of the country. These includes, the Construction Skills Acquisition Centres in the Country, NBRRI’s Pozzolana Pilot Plants in Ota, Ogun State and Bokkos, Plateau State, NBRRI’s Artisan Training Centre, Capacity Building, Construction of Class Rooms and so on.
In the same way, the Heads of the various Research Departments were given the opportunity to deliver brief lectures on the new R&Ds each of the departments has worked and is working on.
The Head of the Engineering Materials Department, Engr. Dr. Friday Apeh explained some of the recent R&Ds they have fabricated and those they are working on using local contents from start to finish. Some of which are, Fancy Facing Tiles for Exterior Walling in Building (From Industrial Dust), Hammer Crusher Machine, Earth Compactor and Asphalt Cutter Machine and so on.
The Head of Building Research Department, Abuja Office, Engr. Dr. Jibrin Sule also explained the R&Ds the Building Department is working on which are; Assessing the Potentials of Kaolin and Industrial Effluent as Alternative Materials for the Production of Fire Retardant, Assessing the Rates of Unplanned Settlements Expansion Within The Phase III of Abuja Using Environmental Geomatics, Evaluation of Urban Slum Living Conditions in Nigeria: Case Study of Kano Metropolis (Phase 2), Exploring the Potential of Scoria as Coarse Aggregate In Lightweight Concrete, Investigating the Potentials of Nigerian Scoria Deposits as a Pozzolanic Material, Development of a Holistic Approach to Integrate Fire Safety Performance with Market Design: Case Study of Kano Market, Nigeria, Optimizing the Mix Ratio of NBRRI CSEB Using Pozzolana, Assessing The Acoustic Performance Of NBRRI Compressed Stabilized Earth Bricks, Design of Climatic Adaptive Solar Shading System for Buildings in Nigeria Climatic Context, Utilization of Waste Glass and Recycled Clay Brick Waste in Developing Blended Cement Mortar, Experimental Investigation of The Physical, Chemical and Mechanical Properties of Different Brand of Cements In Nigeria. Engr. Godwine Yisa who represented the Head of Road Research Department talked on the Manual Rural Road Compactor, Application of Agrowaste Based Stabilisers in Soil Erosion Control and Remediation, Production of Rubberized Asphalt Mat (RAM) for Road Maintenance, Field Application and Performance Monitoring for Pothole Patching Using Bitumen Tar-Sand in Ondo State, Road Pavement Failure Investigation and so on.
And finally, Engr. Paul Agwu spook as the representative of the Head of Science Laboratory Technology Department. He talked on the ongoing innovations of the department which includes, Evaluating the potential of Piezoelectric Energy Harvester (PEH) in Nigeria, Automation in Construction (the Motorized Wall Plastering Machine), Structural Health Monitoring device for bridges in Nigeria, Development of Plastic Melter Densifier and Extruder Machine in the Production of Plastic Blocks, Development of Online Application for Estimating Building Cost in Nigeria and so on.
On the closing ceremony of the Expo which took place on Friday 19th of March 2021, the outstanding performance of NBRRI was further recognized as the Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu led other notable Ministers to visit the NBRRI’s Movable House which was constructed under a short period of 6 hours. The Hon. Minister led his counterparts who are, Hon. Minister of State for Science and Technology, Barr. Mohammed Hassan Abdullahi, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire and Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dame Pauline Tallen. They were well received and given brief by the DG/CEO of NBRRI, Prof. Samson Duna.
