Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has opened a three-day Computer Engineering Research Fair, showcasing innovative research projects and intellectual products developed to address contemporary societal and engineering challenges.
The fair, organised by the ABU Research Fair Committee, was opened on Monday, September 28, 2026, at the Main Lobby of the Kashim Ibrahim Library, Zaria.
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The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Advancement, Research and Innovation, Professor Aliyu Rafindadi Sanusi, performed the opening ceremony.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Research Fair Committee, Professor Ken Okoli, said the committee had recorded significant progress since its establishment, including securing a Memorandum of Understanding with PAN.
Professor Okoli explained that the Department of Computer Engineering was selected to host the university’s first solo departmental research fair because of the outstanding performance and innovative capacity demonstrated by its students.
He said the initiative evolved from the university’s general research fair into department-specific exhibitions designed to bring research outputs closer to the university community, industry and potential users.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor commended the committee for the initiative, stressing that research should go beyond academic publications to generate practical solutions, commercial products and enterprises capable of benefiting researchers and the university.
Professor Sanusi said the university was encouraging researchers to pursue patents and commercialise their innovations, with the ultimate objective of creating enterprises from research outputs.
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He described the Research Fair Committee as an “Iroko tree” under which various units of the university could showcase their research and innovations.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor also described the Department of Computer Engineering as a source of pride to ABU, noting that its activities had contributed to projecting the university’s name internationally.
He said the university management, under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adamu Ahmed, was committed to creating an enabling environment for innovation through partnerships with industry.
Professor Sanusi cited collaborations with organisations such as AMA Pharmaceuticals as part of efforts to provide students with opportunities to apply their knowledge and develop solutions to real-world challenges.
The exhibition features research outputs and innovations in five key areas: security, health, environment, agriculture and transportation, demonstrating the application of computer engineering to societal needs.
The event was attended by the Director of Research and Innovation, Professor Joy Maina; Director, Distance Learning Centre, Professor M.B. Muazu; Head of the Department of Computer Engineering, and other members of the university community.
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Visitors from relevant industries are expected to participate in the fair during the three-day event to interact with researchers and explore opportunities for collaboration.
The fair continues daily from 9:00 a.m. at the Main Lobby of the Kashim Ibrahim Library and ends on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.