Prof. Abubakar-Surajo Imam has been elevated to the esteemed position of Professor of Mechatronics Engineering at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna.
It is said that Imam was the first serving person in the history of the Nigerian Army to earn the rank of professor.
On Friday in Kaduna, the Registrar of the Academy, Brigadier General AM Tukur, issued a statement announcing the promotion.
According to him, the promotion was approved at the September meeting of the NDA Council and went into effect on October 1, 2022.
The registrar stated that the council’s decision demonstrated appreciation and confidence in Imam’s contributions to the Academy’s Department of Mechatronics Engineering.
According to him, the new professor has maintained the expected standard of excellence in his field and delivered exemplary services.
“This recognition not only honours Professor Imam but also highlights the commitment of the Nigerian Defence Academy to acknowledging and rewarding outstanding contributions within its academic community,” he added.
Tukur further said, “On behalf of the Commandant and staff of the Academy, I sincerely congratulate you on your well-deserved promotion.
“It is expected that you will continue to work hard to justify the confidence.”
Imam, a native of Kankia, Katsina State, is a graduate of Bayero University, Kano, with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
Additionally, he possesses a Doctor of Philosophy in Mechatronics and Robotics from Newcastle University, United Kingdom, where he earned a Master of Science in Mechatronics.
Short Service Combatant Course 32 enlisted Imam into the Nigerian Army, where he was subsequently assigned to the Nigerian Army Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering.
He subsequently underwent a conversion to Regular Commission and was assigned to several units, such as DICON, 1 Base Workshop, Technical Group EME, and HQ Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Corps.
Professor Imam serves as a Member Central Selection Committee Examiner for Petroleum Technology Development Fund-sponsored Master’s and Doctoral candidates.
Additionally, he is affiliated with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), the Defence Research and Development Bureau, Abuja, Command Engineering Depot, and Buffalo Engineering Technology as a researcher.
Additionally, Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology in Wudil, Kano State, and Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria and the Air Force Institute of Technology in Kaduna are where Imam conducts research.
The new professor has presented papers at conferences in the United States, Spain, Egypt, and the United Kingdom, among others, and has participated in more than forty international workshops and seminars.
At the present time, he holds the dual position of Head, Department of Mechatronics Engineering and Director, NDA Centre for Innovation and Creativity.
Through his Research and Development endeavors at the NDA, Lieutenant Colonel Imam has significantly augmented the Academy’s prominence among Nigerian universities.
Under his leadership, the NDA Department of Mechatronic Engineering and the Centre for Innovation and Creativity were both established.
By fostering innovation and creativity in cutting-edge technologies pertaining to novel military and civil hardware and software solutions, the center facilitates the development of Nigeria’s Military Industrial Complex and decreases the country’s reliance on foreign technical solutions.
His published works include, among others, Field Manual for Drone Technology, Mechatronics, PIC Microcontrollers, Embedded Systems Design, Sensors and Actuators for Embedded Systems, and Coding, Robotics, and Drone Technology for Children.
