The executive vice chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr. Khalil Halilu has called upon the agency’s management staff to propose ideas for effectively supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s priorities.
These priorities include the large-scale transition from petrol and diesel-powered vehicles to alternative fuels to reduce living costs for Nigerians.
Halilu made this statement as he commenced receiving briefings from the managing directors of the agency’s 10 development Institutes located in Enugu, Minna, Awka, Okene, Nnewi, Kano, Jalingo, Akure, Ilesha and Nasarawa.
He emphasised, “Our institutes are the driving force behind NASENI’s innovation, and these briefings from each Institute are crucial as we collaborate to shape NASENI’s future in relation to delivering on the President’s socio-economic agenda”.
In addition to the managing directors, team leads for various NASENI projects and the agency’s research directors also presented their respective projects and efforts to the EVC.
These briefings, which commenced on September 18, 2023, precede the EVC’s planned tour of NASENI facilities across the institutes, scheduled to commence in October.
On September 19, the EVC inaugurated a committee to address staff welfare, as part of his commitment, upon assuming office, to make NASENI “a public sector employer of choice in Nigeria”.
The committee, composed exclusively of middle-level and junior staff of NASENI, was tasked with developing a human resources (HR) overhaul plan for NASENI. The EVC stated, “Our junior staff are the ones on the frontlines of our work, bearing the greatest burdens, and thus deserving of special attention, support, and welfare”.
To conclude the week, the EVC paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji on September 22, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Regarding the meeting, which explored opportunities for collaboration in advancing research in methanol production, lithium mining, and natural medicine, the EVC stated that both institutions were “eager to jointly commercialise existing research outputs,” adding that “I have no doubt that NASENI has a strong and committed partner in the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology”.
In a statement by the agency’s director of information, Mr. Segun Ayeoyenikan, it was disclosed that Halilu also met with a young Nigerian innovator based in Maiduguri, Borno State, Mustapha Gajibo, who specialises in converting petrol-fired vehicles to utilise gas and solar energy on Friday.
Halilu added, “There’s no limit to what young Nigerians can achieve in science and technology, and at NASENI, we want to be a part of these inspiring stories from every corner of the country”.
