The Federal Government on Tuesday lauded the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure’s growing investment in locally assembled drones, agricultural technologies and indigenous manufacturing, describing the agency as a key driver of the Federal Government’s innovation, technology transfer and industrialization agenda.
Senior presidential aides gave the commendation during a tour of six factories, production facilities and the NASENI showroom at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, where they inspected locally assembled unmanned aerial vehicles, agricultural equipment, diagnostic test kits and other technologies developed through partnerships with private firms.
The Presidential Communications Team included the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga; the Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare; the Special Adviser on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala-Usman; and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
The visit comes amid the Federal Government’s renewed emphasis on local content development, import substitution and technology-driven industrial growth under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In recent years, NASENI has expanded collaborations with local and international firms to promote manufacturing, engineering innovation and skills development across critical sectors of the economy.
Speaking during the inspection, Onanuga praised the transformation of the agency under its Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Khalil Halilu.
He said, “NASENI has done really well. I was not surprised that when it came to selecting the presiding positions, the agency’s EVC was appointed. This agency was created in 1992. Yet, in three years, you can see how Halilu has turned it around.
“I was here last year and found some of his innovations remarkable. I can see the Renewed Hope Transformation in this agency. We must commend you and also encourage you to continue to justify the confidence the President has in the youth of this country to continue to apply their skills to develop this country.”
Dare said the agency’s innovations reflected the Tinubu administration’s eight-point agenda, particularly in technology transfer, artificial intelligence and agricultural mechanisation.
“Obviously, from the technology transfer and AI precision on display, we are beginning to see the results. NASENI is bringing technology that was once seen as utopian to the level of ordinary people.
“I saw how you developed modern agricultural equipment to replace the small hoes of our farmers. And when you develop this big equipment for agriculture, affordability and understanding of how to use it come in. I also saw the factory that you partnered with for test kits. And interestingly, when you look at the data about test kits, almost 80% of our test kits come from outside this country.“For me, that’s great. I think it’s important that we ensure that the work you’re doing here is put out there. Also, we need to develop a model that makes it almost mandatory for MDAs, before they go outside or import, to take clearance to find out if the products are not done here before they can proceed,” he stated.
Bala-Usman also commended the agency’s management, saying Halilu had demonstrated vision and commitment in repositioning NASENI.
