The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has revealed that it will upscale the commercialisation of its technologies, products and other outputs, in a bid to drive homegrown industrialisation and the role of science, technology and innovation (STI) in leveraging Nigeria’s human and material resources to foster economic development.
Despite notable achievements across its eleven development institutes, NASENI has faced challenges, including funding constraints and gaps in human capacity development. However, the agency has entered a transformative phase under the leadership of its director-general, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, appointed in September 2023 by President Bola Tinubu. Halilu, a technopreneur with private sector experience, has reoriented NASENI with a market-focused and results-driven approach.
Upon assuming office, Halilu outlined an ambitious goal to position NASENI as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s technology revolution. He pledged to adopt, adapt and domesticate cutting-edge technologies to ensure every Nigerian household benefits from NASENI products.
Under Halilu’s leadership, NASENI has embraced the “3Cs” strategy – creation, collaboration, and commercialisation—as a blueprint for fostering innovation and ensuring sustainability. This strategy has facilitated partnerships with local and international stakeholders, yielding groundbreaking agreements to commercialise NASENI’s technologies and products.
In his first year, Halilu championed unprecedented collaborations with public and private sector partners. These efforts have resulted in the commercialisation of over 36 NASENI-developed products, from solar irrigation pumps and electric vehicles to smartphones and smart prepaid meters. Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja to mark his one year in office, Halilu reiterated his commitment to transforming NASENI into Nigeria’s leading technology transfer agency.
He disclosed plans to establish a showroom where Nigerians can directly access NASENI’s products. “Our products, developed in collaboration with strategic partners and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), integrate local content inputs to ensure relevance and accessibility,” he stated.
NASENI’s innovations in the past year include solar home systems, electric tricycles, mobile science kits, and Nigeria’s largest CNG reverse engineering centre in Abuja, aimed at reducing fuel costs and fossil fuel emissions. These advancements align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on renewable energy.
Additionally, the agency has implemented significant administrative reforms, including:
– Developing a 2023–2027 strategic roadmap.
– Enhancing staff welfare and governance structures.
– Digitalising operations and establishing an innovation hub at its headquarters.
– Launching initiatives such as Hatch Box for STEM education and the Accelerated Technology Transfer Framework.
These reforms have positioned NASENI as a pivotal player in Nigeria’s technology and manufacturing landscape, reducing reliance on imports and promoting domestic production.
Looking ahead, NASENI is intensifying its efforts to drive economic diversification and job creation through homegrown solutions. Halilu emphasised that the agency’s commercialisation agenda will play a critical role in strengthening Nigeria’s global technology footprint.
Planned initiatives for 2025 include the NASENI Renewable Industrial Park, NASENI Holding Company, NASENI Innovation Hub, small arms assembly, ammunition production and partnerships within the Lekki Free Trade Zone. Projects such as NASENI Xceler8 and the Future-Makers Programme are designed to create jobs, stimulate wealth creation and position Nigeria as a leader in technological innovation.
Halilu’s administration also prioritizes technology transfer programmes, including NASENI’s Global Return Programme, aimed at engaging Nigerian professionals in the diaspora to contribute to the country’s technological growth.
Despite its achievements, NASENI continues to navigate challenges, particularly in funding and infrastructure development. Halilu has called for increased support from government and private sector stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of its initiatives.
With its accelerated commercialisation drive, NASENI is poised to fulfil its mandate of fostering home-initiated industrialisation. Halilu’s vision reflects the agency’s potential to shape Nigeria’s economic future by bridging innovation gaps, reducing unemployment, and empowering local industries.
As NASENI gears up for the next phase of its journey, its focus remains steadfast: creating sustainable technological solutions that benefit all Nigerians while reinforcing the country’s position on the global stage.
This piece was written by Chinyere Obiora-Ekwuazi, Henry Ukwadia and Hadiza Abdul Abubakar.
