By Mahdi Waziri Isa
In a landmark achievement that bridges military service with academic excellence, Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Surajo Imam has become the first personnel of the Nigerian Army to be promoted to the rank of Professor.
An indigene of Kankia Local Government Area in Katsina State, Prof. Imam’s journey blends scholarly rigor with military discipline. He holds a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Bayero University Kano, an MSc in Mechatronics, and a PhD in Mechatronics and Robotics from Newcastle University in the United Kingdom.
Currently serving at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna, he holds two key positions: Head of the Department of Mechatronics Engineering and Director of the Centre for Innovation and Creativity (CINOCRE).
Beyond titles, his work has yielded tangible national solutions. Prof. Imam has led projects spanning defense technology and civilian applications, including automated artillery systems, unmanned ground combat vehicles, smart rockets and missiles, and locally developed ventilators during the COVID-19 pandemic.
His innovative footprint also extends to mobile hospitals, schools, bakeries, hybrid electric vehicles, affordable housing technology, and rural empowerment machines designed for women in agro-processing and small-scale entrepreneurship.
A prolific academic, Prof. Imam has facilitated over 40 international workshops, presented at numerous global conferences, authored six books, and seen several of his innovations deployed for both military and civilian use.
His unique career embodies a powerful convergence of education, innovation, and patriotic service, demonstrating how technical expertise, when paired with strategic vision, can address complex national challenges.
“Katsina State raised him. Nigeria benefits from him. History will remember him,” remarked Ibrahim Danlami Aliyu.
The promotion not only marks a personal milestone for Prof. Imam but also sets a precedent for the integration of advanced scholarship within Nigeria’s defense institutions, reinforcing the potential of homegrown innovation in nation-building.