In a historic announcement by the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Kaduna, Lt. Col. Abubakar-Surajo Imam has made history as the first serving personnel to attain the esteemed rank of professor within the Nigerian Army.
This groundbreaking achievement marks a significant stride in the field of Mechatronics Engineering, showcasing Imam’s exceptional academic prowess.
Lt. Col. Abubakar-Surajo Imam’s journey to becoming the first professor from serving personnel in the Nigerian Army is rooted in his exceptional contributions to the field of Mechatronics Engineering.
The Registrar of the Academy, Brig.-Gen. AM Tukur, revealed that the promotion, officially ratified during the NDA Council Meeting in September, underscores Imam’s substantial impact on the Department of Mechatronics Engineering.
Tukur emphasized that the promotion not only honours Professor Imam but also reflects the commitment of the Nigerian Defence Academy to acknowledge and reward outstanding contributions within its academic community.
He stated, “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.”
Hailing from Kankia in Katsina State, Lt. Col. Abubakar-Surajo Imam holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Bayero University, Kano.
His academic journey continued with a Master’s Degree in Mechatronics from Newcastle University, United Kingdom, and culminated in a PhD in Mechatronics and Robotics from the same University.
Imam’s military career commenced with his enrollment in the Nigerian Army as a member of Short Service Combatant Course 32.
He later converted to Regular Commission, serving in various units, including 1 Base Workshop, Technical Group EME, HQ Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Corps, and DICON.
Additionally, Prof. Imam serves as an Examiner and Member of the Central Selection Committee for Master and PhD candidates sponsored by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund.
Apart from his military responsibilities, Imam is actively involved in research with institutions such as the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), the Defence Research and Development Bureau, Abuja, and several others.
His extensive research portfolio includes collaborations with the Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology in Wudil, Kano State.
Lt. Col. Imam’s global presence is evident in his participation in over 40 international workshops and numerous seminars.
He has presented papers at conferences in the United Kingdom, Spain, Egypt, and the United States of America.
Within the NDA, Lt. Col. Imam’s Research and Development efforts have significantly elevated the Academy’s visibility among Nigerian Universities.
His leadership has been instrumental in founding the NDA Department of Mechatronic Engineering and establishing the Centre for Innovation and Creativity.
The Centre for Innovation and Creativity, spearheaded by Imam, serves as a platform for realising Nigeria’s Military Industrial Complex.
By promoting innovation and creativity in cutting-edge technologies related to military and civil hardware and software solutions, it aims to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign technical solutions.
Imam’s legacy extends beyond his academic and military achievements to his published works, covering a spectrum of topics such as Mechatronics, PIC Microcontrollers, Embedded Systems Design, Sensors and Actuators for Embedded Systems, Coding, Robotics, and Drone Technology.
His contributions include a Field Manual for Drone Technology, among other notable works.
