IBBUL

IBRAHIM BADAMASI BABANGIDA UNIVERSITY LAPAI

Center for Applied Sciences and Technology Research

CENTRE FOR APPLIED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH (CASTER)

Background

The Centre for Applied Sciences and Technology Research (CASTER) has the mandate to coordinate, monitor, domesticate and document all R&D activities of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, in addition to carrying out its own direct cutting edge research projects. The Centre does these bearing in mind at all times that innovative researches raise the University profile, enhance internally generated revenue and produce patentable results that promote human development indices, boost national economic growth and upscale positive social-political transformations.

As at 2018, the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University through the Centre, has completed several R&D projects while several others are ongoing and several others are still being proposed and conceptualized. Funding for the research activities comes from several external sources with funding from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Tertiary Education Fund (TETFund) and Raw Materials Research and Development Council constituting hugely significant components.

Prof. Alimi F. Lawal

Director Caster

History

In direct response to the fulfilment of the objectives of the first strategic plan which were aimed at creating centres of excellence in teaching, research community/extension service at IBB University, former Vice Chancellor, Professor Ibrahim A. Kolo appointed Professor Dennis O. Balogu as pioneer Director of the Centre for Applied Sciences and Technology Research (CASTER) in November 2011. Balogu was mandated to develop a Centre of Excellence in Applied Sciences and Technology-based researches.

 

The major focus-areas are conducting food security research and development with concentration in agricultural production, food processing, preservation, packaging and storage. Other areas of concentration include researches in Climate Change, Geology, protect of finding hydrocarbon deposits in Niger State, Nigeria, Biofuel, fisheries and water/aquatic life ecology. Most of the researches conducted at the University are sponsored by the Public Sector grants, which is totalling over one hundred million naira (N100,000,000.00), and by Institutional and private resources. For operational procedures of CASTER, see Modalities for Operating CASTER.

 

In 2013, IBB University completed the construction of a ‘specialized laboratory complex’ (that includes six laboratory suites) which houses the Centre for Applied Sciences and Technology Research. CASTER has attained specific milestones that enhance national food security efforts in the area of processed foods and juices using indigenous agricultural products, for example:

  • (1) Processed and bottles juices, e.g. cashew and mango juices;
  • (2) Processed and packaged powdered whole egg and egg yolk.
  • (3) Processed and packaged instant pounded yam flour; and
  • (4) processed pasta of various designs and shapes.

CASTER in collaboration with the Department of Food Science and Technology (FST), has excelled in designing indigenous processing equipment, processing and preservation of indigenous food grains, tubers, fruits and eggs into maize meal, millet and yam flours; egg yolk powder; and cashew and mango juices. Most of the research projects are funded by Nigeria’s Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP). The applied research and production efforts were manifested during the IBB University’s Second Inaugural Lecture of Prof. Balogu in March 2014 entitled “Appropriate Technologies: Food Processing and Preservation as key to Food Security in Nigeria – Opportunities for Technology Transfer,” and IBB University’s Maiden Convocation in May 2014 where the university community and over 3,000 visitors were served with cashew and mango juices, processed and bottled in CASTER and the FST programme. In March 2016, a collaboration between FST and CASTER show-cased eight research result exhibitions during the Sixth Edition of Nigerian Universities Research & Development Fair (NURESDEF) sponsored by the National Universities Commission.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS & EXTENSION SERVICE

  1. Assessment of Cost-Sharing Option for Improved and Sustainable Solid Waste Management Services in Niger State. Principal Investigators: A. F. Lawal, Y.A. Mohammed, E. O. Olorunsonya , S. N. Jiya, and S. I. Ibrahim.. Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: Nigerian Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
  2. An Economic Analysis of Rice Marketing for Food Security in Niger State: A Gender-Based Analysis. Principal Investigators: E. O. Olorunsonya, Y. M. Yakubu, A. O. Olorunsonya, . Are Kolawole and A. F. Lawal. Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: TETFund..

DEPARTMENT OF CROP PRODUCTION

  1. Insect Pest Management on Water Melon (Citrulus lanatus L.) in Niger State of Nigeria. Principal Researcher/ Prof. M. O Ogunlana. Amount: N1,991,400.00. Sponsor: Nigerian TETFund.
  2. Formulation of mass production of Trichoderma species for the management of plant pathogenic fungi for vegetables for sustainable vegetables production in Niger State. Principal Researcher/Dr. N. Kumar Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: Nigerian TETFund.
  3. Performance of water melon as influenced by varieties and poultry manure application at Mokwa and Lapai, Southern Guinea Savannah of Niger State. Abdulmalik, S. Yussuf, M. O. Ogunlana, and Mathew K. Isah (Department of Crop Production). Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: Nigerian TETFund.
  4. Fruit fly of Economic Importance in the production of fruit and vegetable crops in Niger State of Nigeria. Danjuma Solomon, M. O. Ogunlana , and M. Chori. (Department of Crop Production). Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: Nigerian TETFund.
  5. Performance of extra-early drought tolerance maize at Mokwa and Lapai, South Guinea Savannah of Niger State. Mathew K. Isah and Suleiman Y. Abdulmaliq. (Department of Crop Production). Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: Nigerian TETFund.

DEPARTMENT OF FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

  1. Process Development, Production and Evaluation of Egg Powder and Analogue Egg Product as Suitable Ingredients for Industrial Utilization. Principal Investigators: T. M. Ikegwu, C. O. Orishagbemi, D. O. Balogu, M. E. Sanda, P. A. Yusuf, A. A. Okpe, and B. Jubrin. Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: Nigerian Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
  2. Development and Pilot Scale Production of Nutrient fortified instant pounded Yam Powder. Principal Investigators: D. O. Balogu, C. O. Orishagbemi, T. M. Ikegwu, V. T. Balogu, and B. T. Jubrin. Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: Nigerian TETFund.
  3. Process Development and optimization of Cashew apple juice processing in Northern Nigeria for economic development. Dennis O. Balogu, T. M. Ikegwu, T. Vincent Balogu, G. I. Okafor, and Esther Omah, (Food Science and Technology). Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: Nigerian TETFund.
  4. Assessment of probiotics for prevention and mat of diabetes mellitus and associated complications using animal models (albino rats). T. Vincent Balogu, Mrs. Hadiza G. Ibrahim, D. O. Balogu, and T. M. Ikegwu (Department of Microbiology). Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: Nigerian TETFund
  5. Development and Processing of nutritious beverages from mango fruit (m. indica) and Tiger nut (c. Esculentus) in North Nigeria to enhance national food security. T.M. Ikegwu, D. O. Balogu, G. I. Okafor, T. Vincent Balogu, Esther Omah, and Babatunde Jubril. (Food Science & Technology). Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: Nigerian TETFund.

DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY

  1. Petro-Geochemical Assessment of some Nigerian coal resources for the production of smokeless fuel. Principal Researcher/Prof. Nuhu G. Obaje (Geology and Mining, Applied Sciences and Technology). Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: Nigerian Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
  2. Subaqueous Facies and Traverse Ecology of the Baro-Warri Waterway: Implications on Sustainable Maritime Transportation and the National Economy. PIs: N. G. Obaje and A. K. Aweda. Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: Nigerian TETFund.
  3. Mining Environment and the impacts of Livelihood and Food Security in Niger State: Principal Investigators: U. M. Umar and N. G. Obaje. Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: Nigerian TETFund
  4. Development of Mining Education Curricular for Nigerian Tertiary Institutions. Nuhu G. Obaje and M. Tajordeeen Mustapha (Department of Geology & Mining). Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: Nigerian TETFund.
  5. Prospect for Dimension Stones in Niger State, Nigeria. Nathaniel G. Goki, A. K. Aweda, U. M. Umar, and N. G. Obaje. (Department of Geology and Mining). Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: Nigerian TETFund.

DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY

  1. Studies of mycoflora and mycotoxins in food crops from Niger State and the antibiotic of isolates. Principal Researcher./ Prof. T. A. Gbodi. Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: Nigerian Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
  2. Antioxidant constituents and activity of the lieaf of Telfairia occidentalis (fluted pumpkin0 as influenced by nitrogen fertilizer. Musa , Abduljelili, T Uthman, and Muhammad U. Tyabo (Department of Biochemistry). Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: Nigerian TETFund.
  3. Enhancing the nutritional and biochemical status of Broiler chickens and African (Clarias gariepinus) fed supplementary diets of Brown seaweed meal (mixture of Sargassumnatans and Sargassumfluitans. Mohammed Aliyu Paiko, Kabir, Mohammed Adamu, Mohammed Sani Sambo Datsugwai. (Department of Biochemistry). Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: Nigerian TETFund.

DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE

  1. Pilot Study of Nymphae lotus as a potential source of renewable energy (Biogas). Principal Researcher/Dr. M. O. Adebola & Naomi John Dadimamud. Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: Nigerian Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
  2. Fish composition and some aspect of physic-chemical parameters of Lapai-Agaie Reservoir, Niger State. Principal Researcher/Ibrahim, Baba Usman Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: Nigerian TETFund.
  3. Fishery Diversity and Water Quality Parameters of Tagwai Reservoir, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria. Principal Investigators: B. U. Ibrahim, Sam I. Ibrahim, and I. M. Chado, D. S. Yage, and M. A. Isah. Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: Nigerian TETFund.
  4. Breeding and Artificial Hybridization of African Fresh waster catfish (Clarias Garienpinus and heterobranchus Logifilis) in an indoor recirculatory Hatchery. Principal Investigators: B. U. Ibrahim, D. O. Balogu and I. Mohammed Chado. Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: Nigerian TETFund.
  5. Growth Performance of Hybrid Hetero Clarias Fed with Diet Babanbara Nut. Ibrahim B. Usman, D. O. Balogu, Isa M. Chado and others. (Biological Sciences). Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: Nigerian TETFund.

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

  1. Extraction of starch and synthesis of acetyl-derivatives using cost effective and readily available materials for industrial applications. Principal Investigators: Y. B. Paiko, U. U. Elele, G.O. Adesina, A. Yakubu, M. A. Muhammad, D. Z. Mohammed, and A. A. Gimba. Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: Nigerian TETFund.
  2. Fish composition and some aspect of physic-chemical parameters of Lapai-Agaie Reservoir, Niger State. Principal Researcher/Ibrahim, Baba Usman Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: Nigerian TETFund.

DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY

  1. Impact of climate change on sources of domestic water supply and demand qualities in North Central States of Nigeria. Principal Investigators: S. Ibbi Ibrahim & Solomon N. Jiya. Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: Nigerian Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
  2. An assessment of the nature and severity of soil degradation in Lapai area. Zuni Aminu, R. O. Sallau-Asiribo, and M. Yakubu-Auna (Department of Geography). Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: Nigerian TETFund.
  3. Bedrock factors of ground water availability and supply in Niger State. Samuel Ibbi Ibrahim, and Nuhu G. Obaje (Department of Geography). Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: Nigerian TETFund.

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE

  1. Mathematical Modelling and Numerical Simulation of Transportation of wood logs with a time-dependent Scenario: Policy Implications for Sustainable Development in Nigeria. Principal Investigators: I. J. Galadima, E. N. Ekaka, I. A, Agwu, O. R. Nwaogbe, and S. N. Akinwade. Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: Nigerian Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY

  1. Shelf-life Prediction and Modelling the Growth of Lactococcus lactis and Listeria monocytogenes in Pure and Mixed Culture of Nigerian Native Fermented Milk Products. Principal Researcher/ T. Vincent Balogu (Food Science and Technology & Microbiology) Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: Nigerian Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
  2. Enhancing the Nutritional Quality of corn mill waste (Chaff) with microbial protein as economic alternative for poultry. Principal Investigators: T. Vincent Balogu, S.S.D. Mohammed, B. T. Jubrin, and D. O. Balogu. (Food Science and Technology and Department of Microbiology). Amount: N2,000,000.00. Sponsor: (Nigerian (TETFund).

Considering that Niger State, Nigeria is an Agricultural producing state with over 78 percent of its employed residents Agriculture, IBB University, Lapai lays emphasis in research that will improve the standard of living and well-being of farmers which enhance the national food security of Nigeria. The objectives of the research projects therefore focus on productivity and value-added processing of Nigerian indigenous foods and vegetable crops in increase Nigeria’s degree of food security. IBB University researchers are involved in several food processing and quality assurance researches, development of indigenous alterative food processing technologies to provide affordable processed and packaged foods and also to reduce dependency on foreign fabricated food processing technologies.
Strategically, IBBU’s Centre for Applied Sciences and Technology Research endeavours are currently divided into Three major research groups. They are presented as follows:

  • A. Group 1: (a) Development of nutritious beverages using native fruits and herbs (b) Development of nutritionally fortified instant yam flour Research Leader: Prof. Dennis O. Balogu
  • Group 2: (a) Formulation and processing of dried egg flour . (b) Value-added nutritious fast-foods using native ingredients. Research Leader: Theophilus M. Ikegwu
  • C. Group 3: (a) Pre-digestion/fermentation of low-quality feeds as poultry feeds (b) Analyses of native rawmilk and the development of computerized model for predicting shelf-life. Research Leader: Dr. Vincent Tochukwu Balogu

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