Nigerian Institute Makes History, Invents Device

Scientists at the Scientific Equipment Development Institute (SEDI) Akwuke, Enugu state reported that they have invented a prime-mover, a machine which could be used by vulcanizers as a pressure pumping machine, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek has learnt.

In engineering, a prime mover is an engine that converts fuel to useful work.

Prof. Christian Nwajagu, chief executive of the institute, said the equipment could also be relevant as a spraying machine for painting of motor vehicles, as well as water pumping machine for those who want to drill bore-hole.

Nwajagu said manufacturing of the machine in large quantity could go a long way in saving Nigeria from huge importation of same equipment which had caused a lot of capital flight from the country over the years.

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek learnt that the institute used "reverse engineering" or "copy technology", a process of discovering the technological principles of a device, object, or system through analysis of its structure, function, and operation in the fabrication of the machine.

SEDI started nursing the idea of manufacturing the machine about three years ago after realising that same machine could serve dual purposes, and that the nation was spending lot of money importing it.

According to Nwajagu, upon realising the various uses of the machine and the fact that all the ones used in the country were imported, SEDI decided to get the imported one, dismantle it, study all the components and began to manufacture each of the components locally, after acquiring the necessary technology used in producing them.

"You can't just achieve much if you don't put in the correct equipment. You cannot do technology with bare hands. It takes time and money to develop the machines. It takes millions to achieve it. But if you begin to consider the huge sum involved, you may be discouraged," Nwajagu added.

Scientific Equipment Development Institute, Enugu and its sister in Minna, Niger state were established with the mandate to develop and produce scientific equipment and their production systems, and the ceding of these technologies to SMSs.