By Lydia Legbo
The Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA) recently hosted a delegation from the Embassy of Burkina Faso in Abuja as part of efforts to deepen scientific, technological, and cultural cooperation between the two countries.
The visit, led by the Burkina Faso Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS Deputy Permanent Representative, His Excellency , Pascal Gouba, was at the invitation of Professor Appollonia Okhimamhe, Director of the WASCAL Climate, Change and Human Habitat (CC-HH) program, FUT, Minna. The delegation, which included representatives of the High Council of Burkinabè Abroad and citizens residing in Niger State, attended a thesis defense ceremony held under the WASCAL framework.
The defense highlighted ongoing research on climate change and human habitat issues supported by the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL), a regional initiative designed to build resilience to the impacts of climate change across West Africa. The program seeks to establish ten doctoral schools across the subregion to train the next generation of African scientists and policymakers.
During the event, Burkinabè scholar Mr. Aliou Gadiaga successfully defended his thesis titled “Spatiotemporal Analysis of Climate Change and Population Dynamics in Abuja and Ouagadougou in the West African Savannas Region.” The jury awarded him a very honorable mention for the quality of his research.
Speaking after the defense, Ambassador Gouba commended Prof. Okhimamhe and her team at FUT, Minna for their commitment to advancing research and innovation, noting that the event symbolized Africa’s growing capacity in science and knowledge production.
As part of the visit, the delegation also held interactive sessions with university officials and partners to explore avenues for strengthening collaboration in research, science, and cultural exchange.
