VISITS

The director of the Covenant University Central Instrumentation Research Facility (CUCIRF), Professor Akan Williams has initiated the process of ISO 17025 accreditation for the facility. The journey toward achieving this accreditation officially commenced with the recent visit of MASPAN, a leading management system consultancy in Nigeria, to the facility, marking a significant milestone in our commitment to enhancing the quality and reliability of our laboratory operations. During their preliminary visit, the MASPAN team began the rigorous process with a summarized gap analysis, a crucial first step in identifying areas that require improvement to align with the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard. This assessment provides valuable insights into our current practices, helping to streamline processes, improve technical competency, and ensure that all testing and calibration activities meet international benchmarks. ISO/IEC 17025:2017 is the globally recognized standard for testing and calibration laboratories, ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and validity of test results. Achieving this certification demonstrates our commitment to quality assurance, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction. It also positions our facility as a leader in compliance with international best practices. With MASPAN’s expertise and guidance, we are hopeful that our facility will be on a structured path towards full compliance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017. The consultancy will provide support through detailed assessment reports outlining necessary improvements, training programs to enhance staff competency, implementation of best practices to meet standard requirements and internal audits and corrective actions to prepare for final accreditation. The accreditation of our facility will reaffirm our mission to provide trustworthy, high-quality testing and calibration services that meet both national and international expectations.

The Covenant University Central Instrumentation Research Facility (CUCIRF) received a notable visit from the University’s Registrar – Mrs. Regina Tobi-David in February 2024, marking her first tour of the facility since her appointment. The Registrar expressed her admiration for the upkeep of the facility and praised the management team for maintaining its functionality and standards. Recognizing the facility’s critical role in driving research and innovation, she pledged to support its growth and address pressing infrastructure needs. During her visit, the Registrar commended the team for their dedication to sustaining the operational efficiency of the facility. She noted the importance of such a resource in supporting the University’s research ecosystem and ensuring that both staff and students have access to world-class tools. The visit allowed her to assess firsthand the facility’s contributions to academic excellence and the challenges faced in maintaining its infrastructure. “This facility is a cornerstone of the University research aspirations,” the Registrar remarked. “I am impressed by what I have seen today and acknowledge the effort that has gone into keeping this facility running effectively.” While appraising the current state of the facility, the Registrar identified key areas that required immediate attention to enhance its appeal and functionality. She gave clear directives for the prompt repair of the air conditioning system, a critical component for maintaining the optimal operating environment for sensitive research equipment. Additionally, she emphasized the need for aesthetic improvements, including the repainting of the external walls and the replacement of outdated or worn-out signage. “These upgrades reflect the image and reputation of the facility,” she stated. “We must ensure that both the internal and external environment align with the high standards of excellence we aim to project.” The Registrar pledged her commitment to facilitating the necessary changes and improvements for CUCIRF. She assured the director that her office would work collaboratively with the relevant departments to address these needs promptly. Her visit and directives signal the administration’s renewed focus on ensuring that CUCIRF remains a leading resource for academic research.