The Presidency has expressed excitement over the growing number of technologies being developed and assembled locally by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).
Senior presidential aides were left impressed after inspecting locally assembled drones, a helicopter, modern agricultural machines, diagnostic test kits and other technologies during a tour of NASENI facilities in Abuja on Tuesday.
The delegation toured six factories, production facilities and the NASENI showroom, where officials were taken through a range of innovations developed by the agency in partnership with private companies.
Among the technologies showcased were surveillance drones, agricultural drones, pressure pumps, modern farm equipment, diagnostic test kits and a locally assembled helicopter.
The inspection was led by members of the Presidential Communications Team, including Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga; Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare; Special Adviser on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala-Usman; and Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
The visit came amid the Federal Government’s renewed push for local manufacturing, technology transfer, import substitution and industrialisation under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
‘NASENI HAS REALLY CHANGED’
Onanuga praised NASENI’s transformation under its Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Khalil Halilu.
He said he was impressed that an agency established in 1992 had recorded such a dramatic transformation within three years under Halilu.
According to him, the innovations on display showed that the Renewed Hope agenda was producing tangible results.
Onanuga urged NASENI to maintain the momentum and continue using technology and innovation to create opportunities for young Nigerians.
‘STOP IMPORTING WHAT WE CAN MAKE’
Dare also praised the agency’s work, particularly its efforts in technology transfer, artificial intelligence and agricultural mechanisation.
He said the modern farming equipment displayed during the tour showed how technology could help Nigerian farmers move beyond traditional tools.
Dare also drew attention to locally produced diagnostic test kits, noting that Nigeria still depends heavily on imported kits.
He called for a policy that would make government ministries, departments and agencies check locally produced alternatives before turning to foreign suppliers.
‘I FEEL LIKE A PROUD MOM’
Bala-Usman described herself as deeply impressed by NASENI’s transformation.
She praised Halilu for what she described as bold, deliberate and committed leadership, saying his achievements demonstrated what could happen when capable young Nigerians were given the opportunity to lead.
She said the Tinubu administration was looking for officials capable of thinking beyond the traditional limits of their mandates and delivering bold interventions.
DRONES, HELICOPTER TAKE CENTRE STAGE
One of the major highlights of the tour was the presentation of technologies developed through NASENI’s partnership with Caverton.
Project Coordinator for Caverton Drones, Ese Obukonise, showcased surveillance drones, agricultural drones, pressure pumps and a locally assembled helicopter.
The technologies are aimed at supporting sectors including security, agriculture, aviation and industrial production.
HALILU: 100% LOCAL PRODUCTION NOT THE ANSWER
Halilu, however, cautioned against the belief that every product must be completely made in Nigeria before it can be considered a success.
He argued that insisting on 100 per cent local production could make Nigerian businesses less competitive in the global economy.
Using Apple as an example, he said major technology companies often rely on international supply chains, with products designed in one country and assembled or manufactured in others.
For Nigeria, he said the focus should be on identifying areas of comparative advantage, developing strong local expertise and building strategic partnerships.
Halilu said NASENI was concentrating on projects capable of creating jobs, cutting production time, adding value to the economy and opening up new markets.
He added that the agency would continue pursuing innovations that could move from government-backed projects into commercially viable products capable of competing beyond Nigeria.
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