YABA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

2019 ANNUAL REPORT OF COLLEGE CENTRAL

RESEARCH LABORATORY (CCRL)

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Who are we?

Yaba College of Technology’s Central Research Laboratory (CCRL) is an ultra-modern research

laboratory equipped with cutting-edge, state-of-the-art research infrastructure in the following
thematic areas:
Sciences:- Analytical Chemistry equipment and Molecular Biology Facilities, as
Laboratory units each.
Engineering:- Marine, Chemical Engineering Simulation, Mechatronic and General
Engineering as laboratory units each.

Centralizing a research laboratory is a global concept that is new in Nigeria. This idea is mainly
accommodated in the universities in Nigeria with Yaba College of Technology as the only
polytechnic hosting a vibrant central research laboratory.

A Central Research Laboratory plays the major role of enhancing research activities in any
institution and the general public. What usually exist are laboratories which do not require highly
specialized scientists with relevant research skills. Such however, is the case with Central
Research Laboratories.

With the foreknowledge that CCRL is an innovation for technological development and
advancement, the Directorate came up with the following for the Research Laboratory:

SLOGAN: “Empowering technological development through training and research”

VISION: To become a one-stop research reference point for the academic and industry,
providing research result with precision geared towards technological
advancement of Nigeria.
MISSION: To provide our clients with high quality laboratory and advisory services with
technical support that meets multi-disciplinary research needs of students,
academics, researchers and corporate organizations towards the technological
development of the nation.
1.1 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:

 To provide research infrastructure for both academic and industrial researches.

 To provide laboratory and workshop for NBTE Accreditation programme
 To provide education and awareness in the area of research and use of laboratories
through workshops and seminars
 To generate revenue for the upkeep of the facilities and for the College.

2.0 ACTIVITIES

CCRL activities include:

 CCRL Weekly ‘In-House Equipment Functionality’ Training

Weekly presentations were made to familiarize everyone with each piece of equipment in
CCRL. Each training session was anchored by a staff of CCRL each week in turn. (See
overleaf for the List of previously delivered trainings).
 Two Ph.D. and an M.Sc. student’s bench work were carried out in the Analytical and
Molecular Labs. 115 undergraduate undertook their project research in the Analytical and
molecular Biology laboratories.
 External sample analyses: characterization of project samples were conducted in the two
laboratories
 Water Potability testing was conducted for ‘Yabatech Water’ towards NAFDAC registration
 Water Potability testing were also conducted for third-party water processors in Lagos state.
WEEKLY CCRL EQUIPMENT PRESENTATION

Mondays 10:00 A.M

S/ DATE EQUIPMENT PRESENTER

N
1. 27th Aug. 2018 Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) Mr. Saanu
2. 3rd Sept. 2018 High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) Mr. Seyi
3. 17th Sept. 2018 Gel Imager Dr. L. O. Adamu
4. 24th Sept. 2018 Kaplan Turbine Test Rig Mr. Joseph
5. 2nd Oct. 2018 UV-Visible Spectrophotometry (UV-Vis Spec.) Mr. Seyi
6. 15th Oct. 2018 Orbital Shaking Incubator Dr. L. O. Adamu
7. 29th Oct. 2018 Centrifuges Mr. Adeyeloja
8. 5th Nov. 2018 Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) Mr. Gbolahan
9. 12th Nov. 2018 Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer(LC-MS) Mr. Saanu
10. 19th Nov. 2018 Muffle Furnace (NYD) Dr. Olatidoye
11. 26th Nov. 2018 Water Purification Mr. Adeyeloja
12. 3rd Dec. 2018 Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) Mr. Seyi
13. 10th Dec. 2018 Universal Testing Machine Mr. Idris
14. 17th Dec. 2018 Spin Flash Drier/Mixer Mr. Joseph
15. 14th Jan. 2019 Fatigue Testing Machine Mr. Ope Fadairo
16. 21st Jan. 2019 Fourier Transform Infra-Red Meter (FTIR) Mr. Saanu
17. 4th Feb. 2019 Freeze-Dryer Dr. L. O. Adamu
18. 18th Feb. 2019 Introduction to Mechatronic Engineering Mr. Idris
19. 25th Feb. 2019 Laminar Flow/ Biosafety Cabinet Mr. Adeyeloja
20. 11th Mar. 2019 4-Stroke, 4-Cylinder Petrol Engine Mr. Joseph
21. 18th Mar. 2019 CPR and other First Aid Responses Mr. Akinsanya
22. 25th Mar. 2019 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Mr. Saanu
23. 15thApril, 2019 Rotary Evaporator Mr. Akinsanya
24. 29thApril, 2019 KJELTEC Mr. Seyi
25. 6th May, 2019 Shaker Mr. Saanu
26. 24th June, 2019 Plate Heat Exchanger Mr. Joseph
27. 1st July, 2019 Computer Controlled Gas Absorption Column Engr. Ogunyemi
28. 8th July, 2019 Trinocular Imaging Microscope Dr. Ofodile
29. 15th July, 2019 Fire Emergency Response Mr. Adeyeloja
30. 22nd July, 2019 Computer Controlled Gas Absorption Column Engr. Ogunyemi
31. 29th July, 2019 Burns and Response Mr. Akinsanya
32. 19th Aug., 2019 DNA Gradient Thermal Cycler Dr. L. O. Adamu
33. 26th Aug., 2019 Working Safely in Laboratory Environments Mr. Saanu
34. 30th Sept., 2019 Burns and Response Mr. Akinsanya
35. 4th Nov., 2019 Bomb Calorimeter Mr. Seyi
36. 11th Nov., 2019 Photometry, Fluoremetry, Illuminometry Mr. Adeyeloja
37. 25th Nov., 2019 Autoclaves and their Applications Miss. Kumbi
3.0 EVENTS

CCRL events in 2019 include:

 Student Training Series for Part-time and Full time students. Need for this training was
pinned on the fact that there was no concise ‘Report Writing Guide’ in the College, as there is
no uniform standard for writing, and students were churning out shabby reports. More so,
report writing is a skill that needs to be learned. CCRL thus drew representatives from each
school in the college as nominated by their Deans to train specifically on up-to-date
mechanisms of student project report writing. This committee also drafted a student report
writing format to be used by each school for uniformity with which the trainings were carried
out during the year. The draft of formats are hereby attached to this report.

Limitations of status quo in the College:

1. Existing ‘Research methodology course’ in the College does not include skills in Project
Report writing.
2. H.O.D’s and Deans of Schools have not shown dedication to following up on this training
programme by CCRL to standardize project report writing by students in the College.
3. Director ARTI was incorporated into the training arrangements and a ‘Standardized
Format’ for the training developed for each school by the ‘Training Committee’ were
forwarded to the Director ARTI as well.
 Equipment Familiarization Training during Yabatech Students’ visit to CCRL (Chemistry
Students, % Dr. Owoso;Physics Students, % Mr. ‘Bayo Adeyeloja; Chemistry Students % Dr.
Azike’s students).
 CBT examinations held for:
- Customs
- JAMB/UTME and POST-UTME Students, and
- CBT exam for full and part time YCT Students

Other events included:

 National Budget and Planning Training at the CBT Centers

 Invest Africa Evaluation Programme held at CCRL conference room
 UNEVOC (CED) iHub programme
 Turn-It-In (Anti-Plagiarism) Training for Lecturers was also organized by CCRL
 Visit by NUC Accreditation Team for STE (Vocational Education)
 NBTE Accreditation Week-long hosting at CCRL
This week-long accreditation exercise welcomed/hosted the following departments in the
various Laboratories of CCRL, demonstrating the use of several hi-tech equipment to them.
The departments represented were:
Chemical Science-Chemistry and Biochemistry units;
Science Laboratory Technology;
Biological Sciences – Microbiology and Environmental Biology;
 Food Technology; and
Mineral and Natural Resources Engineering.

Under the NBTE Accreditation, certain equipment were supplied to CCRL, however, some other
major equipment are still required.We have forwarded request for some equipment that were not
supplied though very important for smooth operation of the laboratories to PPU.

Limitations:

Analytical and Molecular Labs are very hot right now, and this might affect the equipment. Only
six (6) Air Conditioning systems were given and these are still not installed despite our long
request and follow-up over six months to Works department. According to them, approval has
not been given to install.

4.0 INCOME

Please find attached income generated by CCRL in 2019

5.0 CHALLENGES

1. 80% of the Take Off grants given to CCRL was used for repair of equipment damaged
before the Director resumed office in May 2018 which has not given us room for
necessary consumable provisions and maintenance
2. AAS: We’ve not been able to use our Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) as we
only have one Hollow Cathode Lamp (HCL) for the AAS.
3. Autoclave: We are borrowing Autoclave from Biological Sciences department and this
year, they have expressed unwillingness to give it out to us.
4. Molecular Biology equipment: Dr. Adamu’s TETFUND grant got us some molecular
equipment, viz: DNA Gradient Thermocycler, Electrophoresis Tank, Micro centrifuge,
Table top Eppendorf Centrifuge, Electrophoresis Power Pack, Horizontal
Electrophoresis tank, Heating block, etc. which are supposed to be domiciled in
Biological Sciences department until our own which we requested from TETFUND
are given to us.
5. So many students could not attend the training as the days of the training were
clashing with other course lecture.

6.0 PRAYER

1. Review and Adopt what has been done by CCRL in terms of Project Report
Writing formats
2. The College should include Training fees of Three Thousand Naira (N3,000) as
part of Students’ School fees (ND II/III; HND II/III) and make it compulsory for
all the students to attend the CCRL student training series on project report
writing.
3. We need four (4) more Air conditioning systems
4. Given that many of the equipment are now being put into use daily, our power
requirement is thus increasing. Hence, the 250kV generator should be dedicated to
CCRL’s use.

5. Make the period of the training lecture free for the students to enable them attend
the programme.
6. 2020 training in project report writing will hold April 1st and 2nd for Full time
students. The Part time will hold on the 4th and 5th April 2020, training will hold
between 10.00a.m. and 4.00p.m. for both category of students.
7. We are requesting for one of the rooms in the building behind us as ‘Animal
House’ (to be reconstructed for us). Some researchers need an Animal House to
use CCRL for their work without which they are not able to use our bench space
8. The N.M.R machine is lying fallow as there are no sample tubes and Deuterated
solvents to utilize it. We are requesting for these items (Please find attached)
9. Repair of the only double decker SAMSUNG Fridge.
10. Provide imprest for provision of consumable and repairs in the laboratory outside
the imprest for the Directors office