President Bola Tinubu has given special recognition to the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) for its exceptional contributions to the nation’s socio-economic development, as part of his administration’s second anniversary.
In a televised nationwide address on May 29, President Tinubu praised NASENI’s management under the leadership of its executive vice-chairman and CEO, Khalil Halilu, for spearheading numerous high-impact projects and programmes that align with the Federal Government’s economic growth and development agenda.
Highlighting NASENI’s pivotal role in empowering youth, promoting skills acquisition and creating jobs, Tinubu said the agency has become a key driver in the effort to bridge inequality and place young Nigerians at the centre of national development.
“Nowhere is placing young Nigerians at the heart of national development more evident than at NASENI, where the current management is making giant strides. NASENI has embraced a digital-first approach, introduced real-time dashboards, and implemented end-to-end e-procurement through its Unified ERP system, setting a new governance benchmark for public institutions,” President Tinubu stated.
He further applauded NASENI’s transformative programmes such as Innovate Naija, Irrigate Nigeria, the Asset Restoration Programme, and the Renewable Energy and Innovation Park in Gora, describing them as bold and inclusive steps toward industrialisation.
“From assembling electric vehicles and reviving idle assets to launching Africa’s most advanced Rapid Diagnostic Kit Factory and training female drone engineers through the NASCAV programme, these initiatives are creating jobs, restoring dignity to work and opening a future of possibilities for our youth. This is the movement we promised; a government of action powered by the energy and innovation of young Nigerians,” he said.
Emphasising food security as a top priority under his Renewed Hope Agenda, President Tinubu highlighted NASENI’s critical role through the Irrigate Nigeria Project, which provides state-of-the-art solar irrigation systems to boost food production, support farmers, and help stabilise prices.
In a statement, NASENI’s deputy director of information, Chima Akwaja noted that under Halilu’s leadership, the agency is establishing urea and coal-based factories, lithium processing plants, drone assembly facilities, eco-friendly cookstove production lines, and skill acquisition centres across the country, reaffirming its commitment to driving innovation and economic resilience.
