Abuja – December 06, 2023 – Viewpoint Housing News.
The Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) on Wednesday. organized a press conference to commemorate the institution’s 45th anniversary . The Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Samson Duna, spoke at the event. He said Its main goals upon founding were to boost productivity and integrate applied research and development (R&D) into the various engineering materials, construction, and transportation sectors in Nigeria.
The Institute was established precisely 45 years ago as a Federal Government Agency under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology at a press conference held on Wednesday in honour of the institution’s 45th anniversary
While the Agency is present in all six (6) of the nation’s geopolitical zones, the majority of NBRRI’s research is carried out in its National Laboratory complex, which is situated in Ota, Ogun State. These are: Jos for North Central; Lagos for South West; Gombe for North East; Nnewi for South East; and Uyo for South South. These zonal offices not only undertake area-specific research but also function as Extension Centres for the Institute, helping to publicize and popularize its innovative technologies and providing training opportunities for artisans and craftsmen.
Prof. Samson further stated that, NBBRI has been credited with some notable early technological inventions, such as the tile and brick-making machines and the Coir Fibre Roofing Sheet. The movable home, which can build as a duplex, three-bedroom flat, or one-bedroom apartment, recently attracted the attention and praise of national and international industry experts. These innovations has brought the Institute several honors at building fairs and exhibits, most notably the Ministry’s prestigious annual Science and Technology Expo.
He noted that, In addition, NBRRI is presently leading the way in a significant innovation by building a duplex with bamboo reinforcement instead of steel. If proven, this will completely alter the way that buildings are built. According to its significance for Nigeria, our study on tar sand and its potential is also quite important.
Even today, soil studies cite the Institute’s meticulous study as a key source for the creation of a subgrade soils map of Nigeria, which aided road planners and engineers in their meticulous fieldwork.
Pozzolana is a partial cement substitute that will significantly lower cement costs and minimize air pollution, and NBRRI is not giving up on this study. To that end, the organization operates two pozzolana pilot plants: one in Ota, Ogun State, that utilizes agricultural waste as a raw material, and another in Bokkos, Plateau State, that uses naturally occurring volcanic debris (Scoria).
In 2011, NBRRI launched its International Conference Series, which has gained a lot of traction from stakeholders. The series’ main goal was to give stakeholders a forum to discuss critical issues in the built and road environment. In addition to addressing the threat of building collapse in Nigeria, where NBRRI has been leading the charge to ensure zero tolerance, the Institute has also examined some relevant issues like road pavement failure and the condition of the nation’s bridges.
