Outstanding Feat as Lt. Colonel Surajo Imam Becomes First Army Professor
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
In a remarkable feat, Lieutenant Colonel Surajo Imam has etched his name in the annals of the Nigerian Army‘s history by becoming the first serving officer to attain the rank of Professor.
The development was made known in a letter dated October 26, 2023, by the Academy Registrar, Brigadier General AM Tukur and obtained by INCNews247 on Thursday.
The letter, addressed to Lt. Colonel Imam, states, “I am pleased to inform you that the Nigerian Defence Academy Council, in its sitting on September 29, 2023, ratified your promotion to the rank of Professor of Mechatronics Engineering (Robotics) on CONUASS 7, effective from October 1, 2022. Please note that this is a nominal promotion, without financial implications.”
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Tukur added that “On behalf of the Commandant and staff of the Academy. I sincerely congratulate you on your well-deserved promotion. It is expected that you will continue to work hard to justify the confidence.”
Born on June 22, 1976, in Kankia, Katsina State, Lt. Col. Imam has proven that excellence knows no bounds.
Imam’s educational journey began at Sultan Bello Primary School in Kaduna, where he laid the foundation for his academic prowess. His dedication continued at Government College Katsina, shaping his path toward a remarkable future.
After earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Bayero University, Kano, in 2001, Lt. Col. Imam joined the Nigerian Army through the Short Service Combatant Course 32 (SSC 32). His early assignments were with the Nigerian Army Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, showcasing his commitment to service.
Notably, Lt. Col. Imam’s academic pursuits reached new heights with a Master’s in Mechatronics from Newcastle University, United Kingdom, in 2009. Undeterred by challenges, he secured a Ph.D. in Mechatronics and Robotics from the same institution in 2014.
Lt. Col. Imam’s scholarly achievements are complemented by an impressive array of publications. His books, including “Mechatronics for Beginners: 21 Projects for PIC Microcontrollers,” “Introduction to Embedded Systems Design,” “Sensors and Actuators for Embedded Systems,” “Coding, Robotics, and Drone Technology for Kids,” and “Field Manual for Drone Technology,” showcase his expertise in cutting-edge technologies.
Throughout his military career, Lt. Col. Imam served in key units such as 1 Base Workshop, Technical Group EME, HQ Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (NAEME) Corps, DICON, and currently a lecturer and head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna.
