Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar-Surajo Imam has etched his name in history as the first serving Nigerian Army personnel to attain the esteemed rank of Professor.
Lt. Col. Imam was elevated to Professor of Mechatronics Engineering in the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) annals.
The announcement, made by Brigadier General AM Tukur, Registrar of the NDA, unveiled the remarkable promotion, which was officially ratified during the NDA Council Meeting in September and came into effect from October 1, 2022.
Gen. Tukur hailed the decision as a testament to Imam’s unwavering commitment and invaluable contributions to the Department of Mechatronics Engineering.
“This recognition not only honours Professor Imam but also highlights the commitment of the Nigerian Defence Academy to acknowledging and rewarding outstanding contributions within its academic community,” affirmed Gen. Tukur.
Gen. Tukur further said, “On behalf of the Commandant and staff of the Academy, I sincerely congratulate you on your well-deserved promotion.
It is expected that you will continue to work hard to justify the confidence.”
Hailing from Kankia in Katsina State, Imam’s academic journey spans prestigious institutions both locally and abroad. Armed with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Bayero University, Kano, he further honed his expertise with a Master’s Degree in Mechatronics from Newcastle University, United Kingdom, and a PhD in Mechatronics and Robotics from the same institution.
Imam’s service in the Nigerian Army commenced as a Short Service Combatant Course 32 member before transitioning to Regular Commission.
Throughout his tenure, he has served across various critical units, including 1 Base Workshop, Technical Group EME, HQ Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Corps, and DICON, showcasing his versatile and expansive experience within the military sphere.
Beyond his military duties, Prof. Imam’s scholarly pursuits have been extensive. He has served as an Examiner and Member of the Central Selection Committee for Master’s and PhD candidates sponsored by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund.
Additionally, he has research affiliations with esteemed institutions such as the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), the Defence Research and Development Bureau, and various universities.
His published books cover Mechatronics, PIC Microcontrollers, Embedded Systems Design, Sensors and Actuators for Embedded Systems, Coding, Robotics and Drone Technology for Kids, and Field Manual for Drone Technology, among others.
