When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu charged the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to drive Nigerias industrial and technological renaissance, many wondered whether an institution that for years had operated quietly in the background could rise to such a historic responsibility.
In less than two years, however, under the leadership of Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, NASENI has emerged as a visible force, repositioning itself not merely a government agency by number but as a bridge between public investment and private enterprise. The Agency has embraced Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) as a model for turning Nigerias industrial ambitions into reality. In doing so, it is providing fresh hope that technology can indeed be the backbone of a nations development. Across different sectors, NASENI has entered collaborations with both local and foreign partners to solve problems that have long held the country back. One of these is the partnership with Portland Gas Limited for the establishment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion and refilling centres across Nigeria.
At a time when the removal of fuel subsidies pushed petrol prices beyond reach of many, this project is widely seen as a timely intervention, by providing affordable alternatives to petrol and diesel, the initiative cuts transportation costs, reduce carbon emissions and create thousands of jobs.
Beyond setting up stations, engineers trained under NASENI are developing indigenous conversion kits to ensure that Nigeria is not merely importing solutions but building domestic capacity in the process. The urgency of local vaccine production became evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when Nigeria, like the rest of Africa, struggled to secure supplies from the global market. To respond to this gap, NASENI has joined hands with TROMENT Limited and will soon commission a facility for vaccine production at Idu Industrial Area, Abuja.
The project targets diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis which continue to claim lives across the continent. This partnership will place Nigeria at the centre of Africas health security by ensuring that essential vaccines are produced locally, reducing dependence on donor aid, and providing employment opportunities in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
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In agriculture, the collaboration between NASENI and the Mechanisation Equipment Company of Africa (MECA) is reviving abandoned tractors scattered across Nigerian states while also developing plans for affordable new model tractors tailored to the needs of smallholder farmers. In a country where food insecurity is linked partly to the lack of mechanisation, this intervention has the potential to change the story. Agricultural productivity is also expected to receive a major boost from NASENIs collaboration with an Indonesian consortium, PT Saputra Global Harvest, to produce coal-based fertilizer from Nigerias vast coal deposits. For decades, farmers have struggled with high fertilizer costs driven largely by import. The new project seeks to turn locally available coal into high-quality fertilizer, cutting costs and making the product more accessible to farmers. The expected outcome is increased yields, higher incomes for farmers, and a stronger foundation for food security. Halilu said Food Security is one of the priority areas on the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The President is determined to build a Nigeria that is not only able to feed itself in an affordable manner, but also one that is able to produce surplus food for export. The agreement includes supply of machinery and equipment that will enable Nigeria produce coal-based fertilizer for use in Nigeria; training of Nigerian personnel on the use and maintenance of the equipment; and the licensing that gives Nigeria the permission to produce the coal-based fertilizer according to prevailing standards of quality already established by Saputra. The partnership is seen as a way to restore productivity to agriculture, increase food supply, and strengthen the livelihoods of rural communities. The December 2023 agreement is building on the initial MoU signed between NASENI and Saputra in September 2022, as part of steps to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Indonesia, while also supporting the development of Nigerias agricultural sector. NASENIs reach is not limited to land-based projects. In partnership with Caverton Helicopters, the Agency has moved into drone manufacturing under the NASCAV project. Drones are increasingly becoming indispensable in modern economies, whether for border surveillance, crop monitoring, and potential for disaster response. By building drones locally, NASENI is reducing Nigerias reliance on foreign suppliers while ensuring that critical technologies with national security implications are developed at home. The ambition is not just to manufacture for domestic use but also to make Nigeria a hub for drone technology in West Africa. Using SHEFLY project, NASENI has trained female drone pilots aimed at empowering rural women to leverage drone technology for precision farming and increased agricultural yields, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda. The SHEFLY project is a valuable initiative to promote women in STEM fields and bridge the existing gender gap. National security remains one of Nigerias most pressing concerns, and NASENI is taking an active role in this area through its collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON). The initiative focuses on producing small arms, ammunition, and other defence equipment locally. Prototypes of rifles and armoured vehicles have already been unveiled, and the ambition is to wean the country off its dependence on foreign arms suppliers. For the military and other security agencies, this represents not just a cost-saving measure but also a strategic necessity, given the sensitive nature of defence technology. The digital sector has not been left out. Recognizing the centrality of computers in todays knowledge economy, NASENI has partnered with IMOSE Technologies Limited, a Nigerian information technology company to manufacture computers. The focus is on laptops, desktops, and tablets designed specifically for local conditionslong battery life for areas with unstable power, rugged hardware that can withstand heat and dust, and software solutions designed for Nigerian users. By producing affordable computers, the partnership is expected to support digital inclusion, enhance teaching and learning, and create thousands of tech-related jobs. Research and development is another area where NASENI is building strong foundations for the future. At the Abuja Technology Village, the Agency is playing a leading role in the creation of a hub that brings together startups, universities, and investors. The goal is to provide an environment where innovative ideas can be nurtured and commercialized, much like the Silicon Valley model in the United States. From renewable energy solutions to artificial intelligence for agriculture, the village is expected to become a centre of excellence for innovation with NASENI as a key anchor. For many analysts, these partnerships represent a major departure from the past when government agencies often tried to carry the full burden of industrialization, usually with limited success. By working with private sector players, NASENI is sharing risks, attracting investment, and scaling innovations more quickly. International organisations also see this model as a way to integrate Nigeria into global production value chains and reduce the countrys technological isolation. Of course, the path ahead is not without challenges. Many of these projects require heavy capital outlay, and Nigerias volatile policy environment remains a risk factor for investors. NASENI has ensured that the bulk of the funding is not tilted against it. Infrastructure deficits, particularly unreliable power supply and poor transportation networks, could slow down progress. Despite these challenges, the potential gains are enormous. With the safeguards put in place by NASENI and the Federal Government of Nigeria, these partnerships have clear sustainability and are guaranteed to succeed. These NASENI partnerships will create thousands of jobs for young Nigerians, reducing import dependence, boosting agricultural output, and enhancing national security. By building domestic capacity in computers, vaccines, drones, and fertilizers, the country will save foreign exchange and strengthen its technological sovereignty. In the longer term, Nigeria could begin to export not just raw materials but finished products and even intellectual property. The success of these initiatives will depend on sustained political will, consistent funding, and strong oversight mechanisms. But for now, NASENI has demonstrated that the model of public-private collaboration is not only workable but also necessary in addressing Nigerias industrial and technological challenges. As the projects mature and deliver tangible benefits, they could serve as a model for other agencies and even for African countries facing similar development hurdles. Nigerias industrial future, it seems, will not be written by government alone. It will be forged in partnership, with NASENI as a catalyst for collaboration between the state, the private sector, and the global innovation community.
With the steps taken by the Agency to stay the course, nurture these partnerships, and allow them to flourish, the country is indeed on the threshold of a new technological dawn.
