The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, Plateau State, have revealed that they are poised to collaborate on enhancing Nigeria’s digital economy presence, empowering and generating jobs for millions of young people.
The executive vice-chairman (EVC) of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Halilu revealed this while receiving participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 46 of NIPSS who visited the agency for a Strategic Institution Study tour on Monday, April 15, 2024.
Halilu expressed his delight that NASENI was recognised as one of the Federal Government’s agencies with the capability to empower and provide job opportunities for Nigerian youths, thus aiding the country in becoming self-sufficient in manufacturing and the digital economy.
He emphasised that enhancing the ability of key stakeholders in Nigeria to access, adopt and scale up technologies is a crucial outcome of such cooperation and collaborations currently underway by the agency and “must be complemented by the necessary offline prerequisites, such as a supportive policy environment, access to funding, suitable incentives and innovation capacities”.
The director-general of NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo leading the delegation, mentioned that Nigerian youths could be empowered by translating NASENI innovations into finished products and fostering closer ties between the two institutions.
He highlighted that teams from the institute have been dispatched to various agencies to study the development of policies for national progress, adding that the NASENI group will conduct an in-depth examination of how the agency’s technological innovations can contribute to job creation for Nigerian youths.
“Quality manufacturing in Nigeria depends on robust infrastructure, and NASENI plays a crucial role in all sectors, particularly manufacturing industries. We require an institution like NASENI to meet expectations; we are willing to collaborate to explore ways to translate your innovations into tangible job opportunities and youth empowerment,” he stressed.
In a statement by the agency’s information director, Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, the NASENI chief highlighted that the participants of Course 46 from NIPSS were keen on understanding the vision, mission and responsibilities of NASENI and how these could be leveraged to create employment for youth in the digital economy.
