The Federal University of Oye Ekiti has commended three of its lecturers for securing world-class research facilities worth millions of naira for the institution.
Those honoured are the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships, Prof Joshua Ogunwole; Director of Research and Development, Prof Olayide Lawal; and Prof Olufunke Akintayo from the Department of Industrial Chemistry.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof Olubunmi Shittu, in a statement issued on Tuesday in Ado Ekiti by her Special Adviser on Media, Dr Wole Balogun, described the achievement as a significant step forward for the university’s research and global visibility.
According to the statement, Ogunwole attracted a state-of-the-art Connected Autonomous Space Environment Sensor GPS receiver, valued at $15,000, which is described as a significant boost to FUOYE’s scientific and technological research capacity.
It added that “the cutting-edge equipment awarded by the Virginia Tech College of Engineering, USA, under the VT-NigerBEAR project “is a sophisticated device designed for cutting-edge space science research and is expected to significantly enhance FUOYE’s capacity to monitor and analyse space environment data.
“This recognition not only reaffirms Prof. Ogunwole’s unwavering commitment to driving scientific advancement in Nigeria but also highlights the transformative potential of strategic academic leadership in cultivating global partnerships that catalyse institutional and national development.”
The statement announced that Profs Lawal and Akintayo secured Seeding Labs equipment consignment through the support of the VC, Prof. Abayomi Fasina (currently on leave), who approved the $10,000 requirements of the university to acquire the high-impact research equipment from Boston, U.S.A. and also paid an extra N2m from his pocket for other logistics.
It stated, “The Department of Chemistry, FUOYE, has added a significant feather to its cap by emerging as a recipient of the highly coveted and prestigious Instrumental Access Award from Seeding Labs, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
“With this award, the Department of Chemistry, FUOYE has proudly secured a place among the 137 global awardees of the Instrumental Access programme, representing institutions from at least 39 countries around the world.”
The Chief Executive Officer of Seeding Labs, Dr Melissa Wu, in a congratulatory letter to the vice-chancellor, commended the university and expressed satisfaction with the application submitted by Lawal and Akintayo.
Wu stated, “Our mission is to increase access to resources for science in developing countries, and by participating in Instrumental Access, you will be joining our community of 137 awardees in 39 countries worldwide.
“We look forward to working with you and your colleagues across the university to equip your scientists and students with the laboratory tools necessary to conduct life-changing research and to train the next generation of scientists.”
FUOYE acting VC, Shittu, took pride in the department’s achievement, describing it as a clear reflection of the university’s rising profile on the global academic and research stage, adding, “We are grateful to Seeding Labs and the Schlumberger Foundation for this opportunity to expand our research capabilities and global impact.”
Key highlights of the award, according to the statement, include the delivery of 163 laboratory equipment and supplies to FUOYE, with a replacement value of USD 250,000.
Notable among the equipment are the FPLC Chromatography System, AKTA Explore, Desiccator Cabinets, Balances, Buchi Heating Baths, Rotary Evaporators, Chemical Dryers, PCR Thermal Cyclers, Refrigerators and more.
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