Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accorded special recognition to the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), praising its contributions to Nigeria’s national economy and socio-economic agenda. In a nationwide address marking his administration’s second-year anniversary on May 29, President Tinubu highlighted NASENI’s performance under the leadership of its Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Khalil Halilu.
According to the President, NASENI has spearheaded initiatives in youth empowerment, skill acquisition, and job creation for unemployed Nigerian youths, thereby supporting the federal government’s plan to empower the next generation, bridge inequality, and place young Nigerians at the core of national development.
President Tinubu specifically noted NASENI’s adoption of a “digital-first approach,” including the introduction of real-time dashboards and the implementation of end-to-end e-procurement through its Unified ERP System, which he described as “setting a new governance benchmark for public institutions.”
He further commended NASENI’s “bold, high-impact programmes” such as Innovate Naija, Irrigate Nigeria, the Asset Restoration Programme, and the Renewable Energy and Innovation Park in Gora. These initiatives, the President stated, are driving “inclusive industrialization at scale” and creating jobs. He cited examples ranging 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, all aimed at “restoring dignity to work, and opening a future of possibilities for our youths.”
President Tinubu also underscored NASENI’s pivotal role in his administration’s top priorities of agriculture and food security. Through the “Irrigate Nigeria Project,” the agency has provided state-of-the-art Solar Irrigation Pump systems to boost local food production, support farmers, and help stabilise food prices through mechanised farming.
Under Khalil Halilu’s leadership, NASENI is reportedly involved in building urea and coal-based factories, a lithium processing and manufacturing plant, and drone assembly plants. The agency is also expanding eco-friendly cookstove production lines, rehabilitating abandoned farm tractors, and establishing new Development Institutes and NASENI Skill Acquisition Centres (NSACs) across the nation.
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