NIGERIA'S DORMANT MUSCLES (111): FIIRO.

Henates continues the series on Nigeria's dormant muscles that should be deliberately developed now the times are hard, with focus on the Federal Institute for Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO).
Unlike most other research centres in Nigeria, FIIRO had not been that untapped over the years but certainly, it continues to have the potential to do a lot more for the nation like other research centres.
From its website, at least there is a list made up 30 companies and organisations in Nigeria that had benefitted from FIIRO research efforts over the years. The list includes well known names like Glaxo Welcome; Cadbury Nigeria, International Breweries, Doyin Group, the National Steel Commission and National Grains Production company.
There is one drawback with the list though: It was posted  in March 2012, almost four years ago. Meaning FIIRO had no need to update it in recent years.
However, since the Buhari administration, many roads have led to FIIRO especially by those eyeing the presidents program for youths and pupil feeding across the nation.
Henates understands that one company, Olio Nuovo ltd has on November 10 2015 already signed MOU with FIIRO for the training of unemployed youths.
A more recent knock on FIIRO's door was reportedly by Jos based NASCO Foods ltd which is aiming to commercial high nutrient density biscuits specifically for school feeding programme. The target is to meet one third of dietary requirements allowance (RDA) of school age children with the biscuit using local raw materials and process.
Henates understands that the collaboration is at the instance of Science and Technology Minister Dr Ogbonaya Onu and that the MOU should be signed this week (January 20) while pilot trial will begin on NASCO production lines by January 27.
If all goes well, the product launch has been scheduled for April 28 after stakeholders consultative forum on February 25.
Of course, this is just a tip of the products and processes in the FIIRO portfolio still begging to be commercialized.
One advantage FIIRO has over all other research centres is its proximity to the nation's commercial and industrial hob: Lagos.

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