Professor Miriam N. Igwo-Ezikpe of the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL) and Mr. Morufu Akande Gbadamosi of the Research Management Office (RMO), University of Lagos (UNILAG) have been elected as pioneer Chairman and member of the Leadership Committee for the African Research Security Consortium (ARSC) respectively.
The election, which held physically at an ARSC Workshop in Sandton Sun Hotel, Johannesburg, South Africa, was witnessed by Sandia National Laboratories, on behalf of the Department of State, United States of America.
The Consortium, which consists of pioneer members from three (3) Nigerian universities, voted their founding leaders as follows:
Chairman: Professor Miriam N. Igwo-Ezikpe, University of Lagos (UNILAG)
Vice Chairman: Professor Damian Odimegwu, University of Nigeria (UNN)
Secretary: Dr. Babatunde Ayinla, University of Ibadan (UI)
Member: Professor Chidozie C. Nnaji, University of Nigeria (UNN)
Member: Mr. Morufu Akande Gbadamosi, University of Lagos (UNILAG)
Member: Mr. Innocent Inegbe, University of Ibadan (UI)
The African Research Security Consortium (ARSC) is an initiative of the Sandia National Laboratories’ (SNL) Academic Research Security Program, in partnership with the U.S. Department of State. Ten (10) remote webinar series were held in a bid to engage with partners from prominent research institutions in Africa to promote research security in higher education that protects intellectual property and prevents illicit technology transfer.
Following the webinars, select participants were invited to participate in an in-person event to formally establish the research consortium. This is envisioned to help organizations establish best practices to protect knowledge, data, and technology.
The vote was cast by the five (5) members of staff representing the University of Ibadan, Oyo State at the workshop; seven (7) members of staff representing the University of Lagos, Lagos State at the workshop; and five (5) members of staff representing the University of Nigeiria, Nsukka, Enugu State at the workshop. All present unanimously agreed to the outcome of the elections.
The founding Leadership Committee of the African Research Security Consortium (ARSC) will steer the affairs of the Consortium for the next two (2) years, effective from August 30, 2023 to August 29, 2025. The Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, on behalf the University community, congratulates Professor Miriam N. Igwo-Ezikpe and Mr. Morufu Akande Gbadamosi for this feat and wishes them success in their tenure.
