By Maryam Aminu
The Presidential Renewed Hope Media Tour has hailed the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) for what it described as significant strides in local technology development, saying the agency is playing a pivotal role in driving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s industrialisation agenda under the Renewed Hope programme.
The delegation, led by the Special Adviser to the President on Communication, Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, made the remarks after touring NASENI’s production facilities, where members were taken through a range of locally developed technologies and manufacturing projects.
Speaking on behalf of the team, Onanuga described the visit as “impressive,” saying NASENI’s achievements reflect the potential of Nigerian youths to compete globally when provided with the right leadership and support.
He also commended the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, for the transformation recorded by the agency.
In his presentation, Halilu said sustainable industrial growth is not dependent on producing goods that are entirely locally sourced but on strategic technology development, innovation and partnerships that strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity.
According to him, NASENI is focused on developing commercially viable innovations capable of creating jobs, reducing production costs and supporting the Federal Government’s Nigeria First Policy.
He said the agency is also advancing technology transfer, commercialisation of research outcomes and mentorship for innovators through initiatives such as the Innovate Naija Challenge, which offers a ₦500 million prize fund to support and scale promising indigenous innovations.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, commended NASENI’s achievements and urged the media to intensify coverage of the Federal Government’s programmes and accomplishments across critical sectors.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hajia Hadiza Bala Usman, stressed the importance of strategic communication in promoting government initiatives and encouraged greater patronage of Nigerian-made innovations.
On his part, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Chief Sunday Dare, advocated a policy that would require Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to prioritise the procurement of NASENI products and other locally manufactured goods.
Other presidential aides, including Mr. Tunde Rahman, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, and Otega Ogra, Special Assistant to the President on Digital Media, also commended NASENI’s growing partnerships and indigenous technology solutions.
During the inspection, the delegation toured several of the agency’s facilities, including drone technology laboratories, helicopter assembly projects, reverse engineering centres, precision manufacturing units, renewable energy installations, agricultural technology hubs and recycling systems.
The visitors also witnessed the implementation of NASENI’s 3Cs framework: Creation, Collaboration and Commercialisation which the agency said is accelerating indigenous manufacturing, technology transfer and industrial innovation across Nigeria.
At the end of the tour, stakeholders called for sustained national campaigns to promote locally manufactured products, strengthen domestic production, reduce dependence on imports and accelerate the implementation of President Tinubu’s industrialisation agenda.
The statement was signed by Segun Ayeoyenikan, Director of Information, NASENI.
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