AIB, UNILAG sign MoU on material lab usage

Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on the use of its metallurgical laboratory at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.

Commissioner of AIB, Akin Olateru, while signing the agreement in Lagos, said the laboratory was to the benefit of Nigeria, students of higher institutions of learning and industries in the country.

Olateru said that the pact would save Nigeria huge capital flights, which would have been expended on air tickets, hotels and others by researchers, adding that collaborations enhance mutual benefits.

He explained that the agency had written to 12 higher institutions of learning on possible collaboration on the usage of the facility, but only three universities: University of Ilorin, UNILAG and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Akwa, replied.

He emphasised that the United States’ National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) partnered with public and private organisations in the U.S. and wondered why same could not be replicated in Nigeria.

He said: “I believe we can make this country great with collaborations. We need collaborations like this to help us add values to the country.

“This is why I want to thank your (UNILAG) leadership for signing this MoU because it shows the efforts you are putting in place to increase the knowledge base of this great institution of learning.”

He, however, expressed satisfaction with the responses of the three universities, but noted that any other institution willing to partner with it was free to do so. He noted the management would not compel any organisation or institution to collaborate with it.

In his response, the Vice Chancellor, UNILAG, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, said that university education is about research.

Ogundipe said that UNILAG is a research-oriented institution, saying that the institution collaborates with other universities and institutions across the country and beyond.

He said that students of the universities had been taking the centre stage in the country while at the international level, they have equally been making great impacts.