Africa Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety, FUTMinna

FG LAUNCHES ACE ALLIANCE, CELEBRATES DECADE OF ACADEMIC, INNOVATION

By Lydia Legbo

The Federal Government has launched the Africa Centres of Excellence (ACE) Alliance and unveiled a Compendium of key achievements and impacts of the ACE Project, reaffirming its commitment to academic excellence and sustainable development.

Speaking at the double launch on Monday, November 3,2025 at the Idris Abdulkadir Auditorium , NUC, Abuja the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, described the initiative as a major step toward strengthening innovation, collaboration, and global competitiveness in higher education. He explained that the ACE Alliance brings together all 20 Centres of Excellence established in Nigeria into a strategic network for shared learning and global engagement.

Alausa commended the ACE Project funded by the World Bank and Agence Française de Dévelopement(AFD), in collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria as a key driver of Nigeria’s leadership in research and postgraduate education, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He noted that the Centres have attracted international students and faculty, enhancing Nigeria’s visibility as a regional hub for quality higher education.

National Project Coordinator, Dr. Joshua Atah, highlighted that the ACE Project, launched in 2014, now spans 53 Centres across 11 African countries, with Nigeria hosting 17. The Centres have trained over 45,000 students, produced 6,600 graduates (including 1,596 PhDs), and published over 4,200 scientific papers.

The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu, lauded the initiative as a milestone in advancing Nigeria’s university system and strengthening regional academic collaboration.

Prof. Ribadu, said the Centres have produced patents, policy breakthroughs, and market ready solutions while attracting scholars across Africa. The four volumes compendium cover innovations, over 4,000 research publications, researcher profiles, and equipment status.

World Bank Education Manager Scherezad Latif praised Nigeria’s leadership in higher education, noting the ACE model shows how Africa can “build for Africa.” She also announced ACE Innovate, a new initiative to boost youth skills and employability.

She reaffirmed World Bank commitment to supporting education and job creation across Africa

After the launch, dignitaries toured the ACE exhibition booths.At the Africa Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety (ACEMFS), Federal University of Technology, Minna stand the Minister of Education interacted with the Centre Leader, Prof. Hussaini Makun on innovations showcased by the Centre which includes predictive modeling and mobile applications for aflatoxin control in maize, high quality pH sensors, probiotic cereal based foods, moringa enriched crackers biscuits, bioactive yoghurt formulations, biodegradable nanofilms for fruit packaging, and eco-friendly silica materials from rice husk. Africa Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety, FUTMinna World Bank Association of African Universities National Universities Commission ACE Impact AFD - Agence Française de Développement

Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety, FUTMinnaWorld BankAssociation of African UniversitiesNational Universities CommissionACE Impact

ACEMFS HOSTS 3-DAY CORE STAFF RETREAT ON SUSTAINABILITY

By Lydia Legbo

The African Centre of Mycotoxin and Food Safety (ACEMFS), Federal University of Technology, Minna, has held a three-day retreat focused on sustainability for its core staff.

The retreat, which took place from February, Tuesday, 18th to Thursday, 20th, 2025, at the Centre’s Conference Room, featured presentations from various sections of the Centre.

Declaring the retreat open, the Centre Leader , Prof. Antony H. Makun delivered a key note address on ensuring the Centre's sustainability beyond the sponsored period. His presentation highlighted strategies for attracting funding and optimizing the operations of the Centre’s state-of-the-art laboratory facilities.

As part of the retreat activities, participants took a guided tour of the Centre’s laboratories, familiarizing themselves with the available equipment. National Universities Commission World Bank Association of African Universities Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA) Africa Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety, FUTMinna

FUTMINNA STUDENTS SHINE AT 2024 MATLAB NIGERIA CODING CHALLENGE

By Lydia Legbo

In a remarkable feat, undergraduate students from the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT, Minna), claimed the top spot at the prestigious 2024 MATLAB Nigeria Coding Challenge.

The annual competition, organized by MathWorks, the creators of MATLAB and Simulink, showcased the talents of Nigeria's brightest undergraduate minds. Beginning on October 14 and culminating on November 25, 2024, the challenge attracted over 150 registered teams, totaling approximately 500 students from universities across the country. After rigorous rounds of evaluations, 12 teams advanced to the final stage, including four from FUT, Minna.

Among these, Team JARVIS emerged as the overall winner with their groundbreaking project, the Market Price Estimator, a tool designed to tackle agricultural market challenges. This innovative solution impressed the judges with its practical applications and technical depth, earning FUT, Minna the prestigious title of "Best in Nigeria."

The winning team, comprising four 400-level Mechatronics Engineering students—Israel Durotoye, Isreal Odeh, Jedidah David, and Raphael Efita. They credited their success to relentless teamwork, creativity, and unwavering support from their mentors and the University.

Team lead Israel Durotoye described the experience as "an eye-opener," emphasizing the team's dedication and expressing gratitude to their mentors, including Dr. T. A. Folorunso, Head of the Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Director, ITS, Dr. Salihu A. Bala, Deputy Director, ITS, Dr. Abubakar S. Ahmad and the staff at NIHUB, for their guidance. He also extended appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta and the entire FUT, Minna community for their support.

FUT, Minna's success at the competition reflects the University's culture of innovation and excellence. In addition to Team JARVIS, other teams from the institution—Winners, Scholars Team, Solution Matrix, and MLN—also demonstrated impressive performances, further showcasing FUT, Minna’s strength in technological problem-solving.

This victory builds on FUT, Minna's forward-thinking initiatives, such as acquiring the MATLAB Academic License in 2023 through the African Centre of Mycotoxin and Food Safety (ACEMFS) and the National Universities Commission (NUC). This license supports interdisciplinary education and innovation, particularly in food safety and agricultural productivity, aligning with the University's mission to develop predictive mathematical models for societal advancement.

The triumph of Team JARVIS underscores FUT, Minna’s commitment to producing future leaders in technology and innovation. Their achievement serves as an inspiration for students nationwide and reinforces FUT,
Minna's position as a hub for excellence in science, technology, and engineering.

Nigeria University Commission ACE Impact Association of African Universities World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety, FUTMinna MathLab

ACEMFS AWARDS 12 MILLION NAIRA SEED GRANT TO INNOVATORS IN FOOD SAFETY, ENTREPRENEURSHIP

By Lydia Legbo / Lami Bawa

In a bid to foster innovation and entrepreneurship, the Africa Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety (ACEMFS), Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT, Minna), in collaboration with the Entrepreneurship Centre, awarded a 12 million naira seed grant to beneficiaries. The ceremony took place on Tuesday, 26th November 2024, at the ACEMFS Centre on the university's main campus.

Prof. Hussaini Anthony Makun, Centre Leader of ACEMFS, expressed his excitement at being part of this milestone initiative aimed at supporting innovative solutions in food safety. He emphasized the Centre’s commitment to assisting the beneficiaries in establishing financially sustainable businesses.

In her remarks, Prof. Caroline O. Alenoghena, Director of the Entrepreneurship Centre, outlined the grant's competitive process, which involved pitching sessions that identified three outstanding winners. The first prize of 7 million naira was awarded to Oluwaseyi Olamojuwon for "FUTECH Bakery," a business focused on using natural ingredients in confectionery production. Mohammed Abdulsalam and Adio Seun, who were awarded 2.5 million naira each, proposed innovations in poultry feed and natural growth promoters, respectively.

Prof. Alenoghena also encouraged participants who did not win to remain determined, highlighting the Entrepreneurship Centre’s support through its Business Idea Competition hub, which equips students with pitching and proposal-writing skills for future opportunities.

Prof. Ojo Michael Akindele, Deputy Dean of the Postgraduate School, in his vote of thanks, acknowledged the support of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta, and commended the collaborative efforts of ACEMFS and the Entrepreneurship Centre. He urged grant recipients to maximize this opportunity and encouraged other participants to remain persistent in their entrepreneurial pursuits.

Notable attendees included Dr. Lanre Olatomiwa, Deputy Director of DRID; Prof. M. Alhassan, Deputy Director of the Academic Planning Unit; and staff members of both ACEMFS and the Entrepreneurship Centre.

World Bank ACE Impact Association of African Universities Nigeria University Commission Africa Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety, FUTMinna Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA)

Photo credit: Elijah Yisa

Association of African Universities World Bank ACE Impact Africa Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety, FUTMinna

Countdown to 12th ACE Impact Regional Workshop virtual session!
We have six days left to highlight project progress & promote collaboration.
Lasu-Aceitse, Africa Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety, FUTMinna, Centre For Food Technology & Research, Benue State University,Makurdi, ACE for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology

ACEMFS HOSTS AAU/ NUC TEAM

The Africa Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety (ACEMFS) at the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA) recently hosted representatives from the Association of African Universities (AAU) and the National Universities Commission (NUC) on 2nd September 2024. The purpose of the visit was to conduct a resource verification exercise for the University's DLI 7.6 initiative, which focuses on enhancing network infrastructure.

During a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Faruk Adamu Kuta, at the Main Campus, the team, led by Irene Daffie from the AAU, expressed their satisfaction with the University’s internet speed and overall resource management. Daffie acknowledged the University's support of the ACEMFS Centre and commended its impact on the institution. She also highlighted a recent presentation on MATLAB, noting its potential to attract more students and interest in the university.

In his address, Prof. Kuta expressed his gratitude to the AAU and NUC for their continued support, attributing the University's achievements to this collaboration, as well as the Federal Government's backing.

He emphasized the positive influence of the DLI 7.6 initiative on both the University's curriculum and physical infrastructure. Prof. Kuta also noted that future visits would reveal even greater progress, particularly in the area of MATLAB utilization.

The Deputy Centre Leader of ACEMFS, Professor Hadiza Lami Muhammad, also emphasized the importance of the DLI 7.6 initiative, known as the Nigeria Education and Research Network (NgREN).

She highlighted how the project has significantly improved internet services across the university, with the support of ACEMFS and the University's Management, resulting in uninterrupted internet access for all sectors of the institution.

The Director, Information and Technology Services (ITS), FUT, Minna, Dr. Bala A. Salihu conducted the team round the ITS building, Library and NITDA for an overall assessment of the facilities and the internet speed.

Other members of the team include Arthur Abeaku, Oluwatobi Fowora and Abdulkarim Suleman. World Bank Association of African UniversitiesACE Impact@followers

ACEMFS SHORT COURSES Abuja, Nigeria.

FUTMINNA SUPPORTS RESEARCH' COMMERCIALIZATION INITIATIVES

By Mohammed Abubakar

The Management of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, has pledged its unwavering support for research initiatives, particularly those aimed at commercializing their outcomes. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta made this commitment during the opening of the 2024 Technology Transfer and Commercialization Workshop, sponsored by the Africa Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety (ACEMFS), FUT, Minna.

The workshop, organized by the Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office (IPTTO), FUT, Minna takes place on Wednesday, 24 July, and Thursday, 25 July 2024, at the SICT Lecture Theatre, Main Campus.

Represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Prof. Abdullahi Mohammed, Prof. Kuta emphasized the University's high regard for research, noting its potential to enhance the institution's reputation and achieve international recognition. He highlighted the evolution of university mandates, where researchers are now expected to engage in community service and commercialize their outputs, in addition to teaching and research.

Prof. Kuta encouraged workshop participants to leverage the opportunity to explore technology transfer and commercialization, underscoring its benefits for the institution and the wider community. He urged researchers to revive their projects and seek commercialization opportunities, thereby maximizing the impact of their work.

In his remarks, ACEMFS Centre Leader Prof. Anthony Hussaini Makun, represented by Deputy Centre Leader Prof. Hadiza Lami Muhammad, explained that the workshop is part of a broader project, Disbursement Lead Indicator 5.3, which requires reporting all developed products to the World Bank. The collaboration with IPTTO aims to secure funding for these initiatives, reflecting the University's strong support for the centre's endeavors.

IPTTO Coordinator Prof. J. O. Tijani outlined plans to translate laboratory and library research into tangible community benefits. He stressed the importance of product-based research and the role of patents in protecting and commercializing innovations. Prof. Tijani highlighted the office's efforts to evaluate and submit patentable products to the patent registry, aiming to increase the University's market presence.

Director of the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Development (DRID), Prof. Moses Aderemi Olutoye, emphasized the importance of patenting research products to protect intellectual property and personal rights. He praised the workshop's timing and its focus on aligning researchers with global best practices in intellectual property protection. Prof. Olutoye encouraged participants to engage actively and leverage the workshop to patent and commercialize their research outputs.

This development represents a significant step towards harnessing the University's research potential for societal benefit, positioning FUT Minna as a leader in research commercialization and innovation.

Photo credit: Elijah Yisa