NEC Calls on States to Leverage NASENI Innovations to Industrialize Nigeria

The National Economic Council (NEC) has called on state governments to embrace and patronize technological innovations developed by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).

According to the Council, states’ patronage of indigenous technology has become imperative to accelerate the industrialization of Nigeria.

NASENI Director of Information, Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, said in a statement issued on Monday that Vice President Kashim Shettima made the call during the 146th NEC meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting was addressed by the Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Khalil Halilu, who laid out a strategic roadmap to drive Nigeria’s industrial transformation.

Spotlight on NASENI

Presentation to Khalil entitled “Economic Transformation of NASENI through Advancement in Technology Transfer and Adaptation” highlighted the agency’s focus on critical sectors such as renewable energy and sustainable development, healthcare and biotechnology, agriculture and food production, sustainable transport and mobility, digital technologies, construction and smart cities, and defense and aerospace.

He detailed several innovations initiated by NASENI, including the development of electric vehicles and NASENI solar home systems aimed at enhancing rural electrification.

He also mentioned smart devices such as laptops and tablets designed to meet the unique needs of the Nigerian market, as well as solar irrigation pumps and coal-based fertilizers designed to improve agricultural productivity across the country.

Making Nigeria an Innovation Hub

Halilu emphasized NASENI’s commitment to making Nigeria a global innovation hub through technology transfer and product commercialization.

“He also spoke about ongoing projects such as the NASENI Troment Vaccine Plant Initiative, the NASENI Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Center, the NASENI Devfrontier Solar and Battery Projects, the NASENI Renewable Park and the NASENI Family Homes Initiative promoting environmentally sustainable housing solutions. ,the statement reads in part.

The agency has sought NEC’s support in setting up manufacturing units in various states using local raw materials.

NASENI also called for simplification of processes related to access to land and seaports, assistance in setting up showrooms for its products and favorable policies to encourage the adoption of its initiatives.

Halilu noted that NASENI has raised $3.23 billion in investment and launched the DELT-Her initiative to empower women engineers.

NEC issues directive on lithium battery factories

Commending the agency’s efforts to boost local manufacturing and industrial development, NEC directed the agency to expand the establishment of lithium battery manufacturing plants in natural resource-rich regions and refurbish tractors across the country under the National Asset Rehabilitation Programme.

The Council also decided to leverage NASENI’s tailored support for partnerships in the manufacturing and public sectors to enhance Nigeria’s economic diversification.

The NEC emphasized the importance of infrastructure, policy frameworks and market access as critical components in achieving these goals.

What you should know

NASENI is the only dedicated agency of the Federal Government under the leadership of the President, whose mandate is to establish an adequate and dynamic scientific and engineering infrastructure base for the achievement of home-initiated and sustained industrialization in Nigeria.

The Agency’s mandate includes the development of appropriate processes, inputs and equipment necessary for job creation, national economic well-being and progress.