FEDPOFFA, NBBRI Signs MOU on Knowledge Exchange, Tech Transfer

… to establish an on-campus modern research centre to serve as a hub for North-Central Zone, commences discussion on areas of convergence

… committee members, led by Director of ACTU, Dr. Egbele formally submit working documents/progress reports to the Rector

In its drive to promote local research and indigenous technologies, the management of the Federal Polytechnic Offa, led by the Rector, Engr. Dr. Kadiri Kamoru Oluwatoyin, FNSE has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Nigeria Building and Roads Research Institute (NBRRI). The MoU was signed on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at the NBRRI headquarters in Abuja by the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NBRRI, Engr. Prof. Samson Duna, in the presence of the Director of Administration and Personnel Department, NBRRI, Mrs. Rosemary Emore.

A similar engagement was also held in the Federal Polytechnic Offa as the Rector, Engr. Dr. Kadiri Kamoru Oluwatoyin, FNSE, signed the MOU on behalf of the FEDPOFFA Management as both partners defined the scope of collaboration and activities in their respective domains.

At the signing, Dr. Kadiri praised the strategic partnerships with NBRRI, emphasizing that the implementation of the agreement will commence in earnest as he expressed his determination to put in place the appropriate mechanism to work out modalities for programme of action. By signing the MOU, FEDPOFFA and NBRRI complement their strategic partnerships and cooperation that will enable the students access the institute facilities for training and innovative research, upskilling of the Polytechnic staff as well as construction of demonstration project within the Polytechnic community.

On a trajectory to consolidate the cooperation after signing the MOU, a team led by the Director of ACTU, Dr. Egbele P.O. convened a high-level meeting held at the Polytechnic Old Board room, mini campus, on Monday, March 10, 2025 to consider the MoU and deliberate on the strategic partnerships. The meeting was to dot the i’s and cross the t’s towards firming up arrangements on the areas of mutually beneficial components between the two bodies.

While pointing out possible areas of collaboration and mutually benefiting ventures between the two bodies, Dr. Egbele highlighted the achievements of the committee and the steps set in motion for the actualization of the matters arising from previous committee meetings. Speaking further, he described the partnership as part of various intellectual efforts focusing on several components, the first, which is to create a sustainable environment and generate revenue from environmental waste, and the second component is developing scalable production processes for waste-based building materials.

Other areas of cooperation covered by the agreement include adoption and utilisation of relevant technologies and facilities in the construction industry, conduct workshops and training for stakeholders, and the provision of intervention projects on relevant areas of interest. According to Dr. Egbele, in order to advance these shared goals between the two bodies, in the coming months, a high-powered management delegation will be dispatched to Abuja to submit the working documents to NBBRI for the conclusion and ratification of the MOU.

Following the deliberations, Dr. Egbele directed the Secretary of the committee, who also doubles as the HOD of Civil Engineering Department, Engr. Oyeleke, to come up with a comprehensive proposal on strengthening the partnership focusing on three items which includes the establishment of a NBBRI research centre in the Federal Polytechnic Offa that will serve the North-Central Zone, Construction of Pilot Buildings comprising Lecture theatres for Civil Engineering, Building Tech and Applied Science Department, and thirdly, renovations of Classrooms/Laboratory, targeting HND blocks, Maryam Babangida Lecture theatre and ETF buildings.

After the meeting, the Director of ACTU, accompanied by the committee Secretary, Engr. M.O. Oyeleke, led other committee members to officially present the signed MOU to the Rector. While welcoming the committee and receiving the working documents on behalf of the Rector, the Deputy Rector Administration, Dr. Salimonu Rasheed Ishaq, in company of the Deputy Rector (Academics) Dr. Mrs. Mulikat Aliyu. said the collaboration with NBRRI is on a win-win basis, hence it was important for both institutions to share expertise and resources. “Let me use this opportunity to acknowledge the hard work of the teams from both institutions who have worked tirelessly to bring this partnership to fruition. Your diligence has laid the ground work for a collaboration that will not only address the present challenges but also anticipate the needs of tomorrow. As we execute this MOU today, I call on all stakeholders to embrace the spirit of collaboration that this partnership represents. Together, we can achieve the goals of innovation, inclusivity and consolidate the synergy between our Polytechnic and NBRRI.” Dr. Salimonu added.

The Polytechnic team had in attendance, Director of ACTU, Dr. Egbele P.O; Director of Academic Planning, Dr. Waheed O. Balogun; Director of DAPFACORP, Engr. Dr. Kehinde O.O; Director, UNESCO-UNEVOC, Bldr. A.B. Lawal; Deans, School of Environmental Technology, Bldr. J.O Alabi; School of Industrial Engineering (SOIE); Engr. Dr. Obaje Samuel; School of Natural Resources Engineering Tech, Engr. Dr. Charles Adeyinka (SONRET); HODs of Civil Engineering, Engr. M.O. Oyeleke; Building Tech, Bldr. S.F. Aliyu; Mechanical Engineering, Engr. Ogundele S.O; and Railway Engineering, Engr. Olatinwo T.F (Mrs.)