NASENI Targets Job Creation Through Innovation – Halilu

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Khalil Suleiman Halilu, says the agency is focusing on commercially viable innovations that will create jobs, support local manufacturing and drive Nigeria’s industrial growth.

Halilu made this known while receiving members of the Presidential Renewed Hope Media Tour at NASENI’s headquarters, where he outlined the agency’s strategy for advancing President Bola Tinubu’s industrialisation agenda through technology, innovation and strategic partnerships.

He said sustainable industrial growth is not determined by producing goods that are entirely made in Nigeria but by developing the right technologies and creating products that can compete in the market.

“Sustainable industrial growth does not require products to be 100 per cent locally produced. It requires strategic technology development, innovation and partnerships. At NASENI, we are prioritising commercially viable innovations that create jobs, reduce production time and support the Nigeria First Policy,” Halilu said.

He added that the agency is promoting technology transfer, commercialising research outputs and mentoring young innovators through initiatives such as the Innovate Naija Challenge, which provides a N500 million prize fund to support promising Nigerian innovations.

Speaking on behalf of the Presidential Renewed Hope Media Tour, the Special Adviser to the President on Communication, Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, praised NASENI’s achievements, describing the agency’s progress in local technology development as impressive.

The delegation also toured NASENI’s facilities, including its drone technology, helicopter assembly, precision manufacturing, renewable energy, agricultural technology and recycling projects.