President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) would be a pivotal legacy his administration will bequeath to the next Administration in 2023.
While speaking on Tuesday 6th December 2022 in Abuja during the commissioning of the President Muhammadu Buhari Technology and Innovation Complex at NASENI Headquarters, Idu Industrial Zone, the President stated that the Agency under his Administration is being repositioned to become a Technology and Innovation Hub for national development.
“This is one pivotal legacy of this administration. With this complex and the available facility, the future of our national competitiveness among global economies is promising. We are sure that these advanced Science and Engineering Core facilities will assist our nation in the attainment of Africa Union’s 2063 Agenda and United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals 2030,” he said.
Decrying NASENI’s inability to attain her full potentials over the years, President Buhari assured of his Administration’s determination to reverse the trend. He explained that NASENI has a long history of establishment and has been in existence for over 30 years now, but the Agency has been facing so many challenges that were mitigating against the realisation of her full potential in line with the Act that established the Agency.
He noted that under his Chairmanship, NASENI is undergoing a reinvention and transformation to become a Technology and Innovation Hub for national development. Adding, consequently, he has strategically repositioned NASENI to develop local capacity in machine building and fabrication which is critical to Nigeria’s Industrial development.
Impressed with the great strides the Agency has made under his Administration, President Buhari declared that NASENI is now domesticating foreign technologies and product development through backward integration. He pointed out that the recent attraction of 250 Czeck Koruna or $10.5 Million US Dollar Research and Development grant to Nigeria is evidence that the country’s transformation is achieving results in building a competitive Agency.
According to the President, NASENI under his watch as the Chairman of the Governing Council has lived up to its expectations and has performed well.
“The Agency has invented useful and historic intelligence and defence-related equipment and devices and has engineered in collaboration with reputable organisations, Armoured Personnel Carrier with advanced features and Mine Resistant Ambushed Protected APC, among others,” he stated.
President Buhari also expressed delight that NASENI is advancing the Agricultural Self – Sufficiency, Energy, Power and Home – Grown Technology Programmes of this Administration through its fabrication of machinery, equipment and devices. In his view, the Agency is currently implementing Smart Irrigation Projects for multi-crop season farming as well as the National Tractor Recovery, Rehabilitation and Redeployment Innovation in collaboration with the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending.
He stressed that the assembly of two Helicopters towards first Made – In Nigeria Helicopter and the development of Solar cells for 100% Solar Module production, using local raw materials are among patriotic contributions to Nigeria’s transition to a manufacturing economy. President Buhari reiterated NASENI’s relevance as a critical agency towards the maintenance and sustainability of the nation’s infrastructure.
“The present administration has invested heavily in diverse infrastructural facilities: roads, rails, water and aviation, among other sectors of our economy. After this administration, resourcing and sustainability of these critical infrastructure will present a challenge on the medium to long term basis,” he affirmed.
“But with our deliberate repositioning of NASENI to be at par with other similar agencies of government across the world and optimal performance, we are convinced that the future maintenance of our key national infrastructure is assured. New NASENI is undoubtedly, among the most important legacy my administration is bequeathing to the next administration in 2023.”
President Buhari also lauded the Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Engr. Mohammad Sani Haruna (Prof) for his exemplary leadership, dynamism and foresight in advancing the cause of the Agency. He commended him and directed the conferment of “Excellence Service Award” on him and a “National Honour of OFFICER OF THE ORDER OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC,” which is to be conferred on him at the last Federal Executive Council of December 2022.
In his welcome address, the Executive Vice Chairman acknowledged President Buhari’s commitment to the deployment of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) to the centre stage of Nigeria’s socio-economic activities, noting that it was the first time a Nigerian President was visiting the Agency.
“You are the first and the only Head of Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to have ever paid a visit to any facility of NASENI across the country in the 31 years of the Agency’s existence,” Prof. Haruna said, stressing that he has already demonstrated a departure from commodity-based economy and leading prioritised innovations and inventions towards manufacturing and knowledge-based economy,” Sani Haruna maintained.
He assured the President of the Agency’s commitment to contributing towards overcoming the country’s development challenges. He mentioned that NASENI is ready and will God willing, soon provide innovative technology solutions to stop crude oil theft and bunkering, vandalization of power lines as well as surveillance and monitoring devices for rails, roads and seaways.
As part of the event, there were goodwill messages from the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan (Senator) and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Uche Ekwunife (Senator), whilst Governors Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State as well as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammad Bello were among dignitaries at the commissioning ceremony.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
