Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar-Surajo Imam Makes History as First Nigerian Army Professor at NDA
In a landmark achievement, Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar-Surajo Imam has been conferred the prestigious title of Professor by the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA), making him the first officer from the Nigerian Army to attain this distinguished academic distinction.
The Nigeria Defence Academy, responsible for the training of military personnel in the country, officially recognised Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar-Surajo Imam as a Professor of Mechatronics Engineering. This significant milestone was announced by Brigadier General A.M Tukur, the Registrar of the Academy, in an official statement.
The announcement highlighted that the promotion of Lieutenant Colonel Imam, who also serves as the Head of the Department of Mechatronics Engineering, was ratified during the NDA Council Meeting held in September. The promotion officially took effect from October 1, 2022.
The decision of the Academy Council reflects a profound confidence in and recognition of Lieutenant Colonel Imam’s exceptional contributions to the Department of Mechatronics Engineering at the NDA. The statement underlines that the new professor has set an exemplary standard of service, consistently upholding the expected levels of excellence in his field.
Meet Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar-Surajo Imam
Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar-Surajo Imam began his military journey as a member of Short Service Combatant Course 32, hailing from Kankia in Katsina State. His dedication and expertise led to his assignment to the prestigious Nigerian Army Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering.
Educationally, Lieutenant Colonel Imam holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Bayero University, Kano State. His pursuit of academic excellence continued with a Master’s degree in Mechatronics from Newcastle University, United Kingdom. Notably, he further solidified his expertise by obtaining a Ph.D. in Mechatronics and Robotics from the same esteemed institution.
In addition to his academic achievements, the newly appointed professor plays a vital role as an Examiner and Member of the Central Selection Committee for Masters and PhD candidates sponsored by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund.
Throughout his military career, Lieutenant Colonel Imam transitioned to Regular Commission, contributing his skills and leadership to various units, including 1 Base Workshop, Technical Group EME, HQ Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Corps, and Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).
Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar-Surajo Imam’s journey exemplifies dedication, scholarly achievement, and a commitment to excellence, setting a commendable precedent for the Nigerian Army within the academic realm. His recognition as the first Nigerian Army Professor at the NDA is a testament to his outstanding contributions to both the military and academia.
