Agu Collins Agu, PhD
Dr Agu Collins Agu (born March 1969) is the Director of Research and Development (R&D) Department of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). He is a strong proponent of opensource technology, indigenization and adaptation of technology and has many years hands‐on real industry experience in upstream ICT products design and development, specializing in development of IoT Systems, Advanced Embedded System Design and Programming, PCB Design and Manufacture, SCADA & HMI Systems, Design & Integration of Renewable Energy Systems, R&D and Innovation Management.
His working experience includes Nigerian Communication Satellite Ltd (NIGCOMSAT), Obasanjo Space Centre where he established the Research & Development Department and also Microelectronics Centre with strong focus on embedded systems design & programming, electronics design and manufacture.
He is a player in the Nigerian ICT industry where he develops indigenous innovative products such as OBUNO IoT Engine; Amadioha IoT Platform (co-designed with Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami), Ruwatronik, short range RFID Y-Reader; RFID Biometric e-voting System for Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE); RFID Biometric Staff Attendance & Access Control System (RFID BioSAACS) for the Presidency, ICPC, Ministry of Transport; Intelligent Launch Control System (INTELCOS-1) etc. He also researches in Cyber Physical Systems and Applications
Early life and education
Dr Agu Collins Agu was born in Akpugo, Nkanu-West Local Government Area, Enugu State, South-East Nigeria. He attended Federal Government College, Idoani, Ondo State where he set a record as his class’ best student by obtaining 7(A’s) distinctions in WAEC/GCE. He then proceeded on Federal Scholarship to the defunct Soviet Union (USSR) where in gained admission into the prestigious National Technical University, Kharkov City (Ukraine) and obtained his BSc and MSc Degrees in Mechanical Engineering and also became a Certified Russian Language Translator & Teacher. Dr Agu Collins Agu holds a top level Doctorate Degree in Engineering Sciences from National Technical University at Kharkov City, Ukraine where his PhD dissertation yielded an invention – a hydrocarbon based solid substance for combined processing of materials using electro-conductive abrasive tools under (Ukraine Patent № 58078, 25th March 2011). Some of his research work involved minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) technology for application in heavy industries for manufacture of composite materials.
Professional career
He worked as Design Engineer for Kharkov Electro-technical Equipment Plant (Ukraine) responsible for the modernization of railway systems and also General Manager, Ajaokuta Steel Company (underReprom Ltd) that saw to the reactivation of the steel complex after more than 15 years of redundancy.
In 2008 he joined the Federal Civil Service as the manager of Research and Development Department of Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Ltd and rose to the rank of Assistant General Manager to head the Microelectronics Centre. In 2014, after a successful interview conducted by KPMG coupled with hard work and resilience he got promoted to the position of General Manager, Technology Convergence & Support Services (TCSS) Department , in charge of the National Public Safety and Communication System and the DTH Head end of NigComSat 1R satellite.
On a special request, he was seconded to National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), where he became the Director, Zonal Offices Coordination Department and subsequently became Director, IT Infrastructure Solutions (ITIS) Department of NITDA. He has been nominated for several national assignments such as a member of the Technical Working Group for National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan; a member of ad-hoc Committee of National Economic Council on Crude oil Theft Prevention and Control etc
Awards and recognition
- 100 Leading Telecom & ICT personalities in Nigeria – ATCON
- Nigerian Diaspora Global Hall of Fame – NIDOE
- Merit Award for Excellence in Technology Development – Enugu State Government
- Distinguished Speaker Award – AfICTA
Affiliations
- He is a member of several professional bodies including: Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Nigerian.
- Institute of Mechanical Engineers (NIME), Nigerian Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers(NIEEE), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Institute of Software Practioners of Nigeria(ISPON), Nigerians in Diaspora Organization Europe (NIDOE) – Ukraine Chapter etc.
- He is a Facilitator at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
- He is a mentor and instructor at a non-profit IoT Hub which identifies with cutting-edge technologies; in-depth understanding of emerging technologies and their commercial applications.
- He is currently working on various capacity development programs in emerging technologies with strong international affiliations to facilitate students and lecturers exchange program with strong focus on technical research to strengthen the linkage between the industry and academia.
Publications and projects
- Microelectronics Global Diffusion through Education – IEEE July 2009
- Analysis of the cutting surface of diamond wheels during the process of grinding tungsten-less carbide-tipped alloys” published in the Soviet Union scientific journal.
- Analysis of energy Intensity of Diamond (spark) electro-discharge grinding of Hard Alloys using MQL (Minimum Quantity Lubrication) Technology.
- Peculiarities of Diamond (spark) Electro-discharge grinding of Hard Alloys with minimal utilization of Solid Hydrocarbon Lubricants.
- Dissecting RFID Technology, African University of Science & Technology (AUST) March 2014.
- Design & development of Sampson Board based on 8-bit PIC18F4550 MCU.
- Design & development of NFC/RFID Reader based on PN532 with USB interface.
- Design & development of IoT board ( Ruwatronik) based on ATmega 328 MCU.
- Design & development of RFID Biometric Naija Reader ISO14443A, B.
- Design & development of 4-port USB transparent hub based on FE1.1S.
- Design & development of LED Scrolling Message Board based on PIC16F628A
He is happily married to Dr (Mrs) Nataliya Yablonska-Agu with a son.