By Muhammad Mamman
A senior Nigerian Army officer, Brigadier General Sikiru Adepoju Mohammed, has called on industries nationwide to begin investing directly in university-led research as a catalyst for national development.
Delivering the keynote address at the 2025 International Conference on Engineering, Science and Technology (ICEST) in Calabar, General Mohammed warned that the persistent disconnect between academia and industry remains one of the biggest obstacles to Nigeria’s development agenda.
The three-day conference, hosted by the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), drew researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders under the theme “Convergence of AI, Digital Economy and Decarbonisation: Engineering Science and Technology for a Sustainable Future.”
In his keynote paper, “Emerging Technologies and Digital Economy: Sustainable STEM Practices in Focus,” the General stressed that industries can no longer rely solely on government-driven initiatives but must actively fund problem-solving research tailored to their operational needs.
“There is no better time than now for Nigerian industries to fund targeted university research that addresses the unique challenges they face. That is how innovation grows, and that is how nations develop,” he said.
He further argued that Nigeria’s aspirations for a thriving digital economy will remain out of reach if engineering education continues to be overly theoretical.
“Industries must invest in research. Universities must build functional laboratories. And together, we must deliver innovations that solve African problems,” he added.
General Mohammed also urged engineering faculties to return to hands-on, practical training across all academic levels.
“Universities need to stop producing engineers who have never used a screwdriver. Practicality must return to our classrooms,” he said.
Encouraging academics to adopt systems thinking and interdisciplinary approaches, he emphasised that these are essential to navigating the fast-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
Showcasing innovations from the Emerging Technologies Research Hub under his leadership, the General highlighted projects developed by students he mentors, reaffirming his commitment to nurturing young talent—from school pupils to undergraduates—despite his demanding military and academic roles.
Holding a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Leeds, General Mohammed educated participants on the technology life cycle, stressing the importance of knowing when to invest in in-house development versus adopting external solutions. He also highlighted modern engineering tools such as Power BI, 3D Printing, Raspberry Pi, Arduino, and operations research software.
In closing, he commended ICEST 2025 organisers for fostering collaboration between science, policy, and industry, and expressed gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, for granting him permission to attend.
Currently Director of Logistics at the National Defence College, Brigadier General Mohammed is a chartered engineer and Fellow of the UK Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). His distinguished career includes appointments as Military Plant Representative in Ukraine, Director at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, and Senior Lecturer at the Nigerian Defence Academy.
