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Tag: NASENI

  • Prof. Haruna bags business day excellence in public service award 2021

    Prof. Haruna bags business day excellence in public service award 2021

    The Business DAY newspaper has recognised the outstanding performance of the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure(NASENI), Engr.Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna amongst over 100 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Government assessed by a special panel set up by the newspaper.
    The Excellence in Public Service Awards is an annual recognition event that celebrates functionaries occupying strategic positions in the federal administration, who in the performance of their responsibilities, embody the best values of responsible policy formulation, operational delivery of excellence, and broad stakeholder.
    The awards are open to federal MDAs. The 2022 edition of the prestigious Excellence Awards-giving ceremony, which is 4th in the series, had 2021 activities of the MDAs in focus with the judges considering the respective remarkable successes achieved in fulfilment of the institutions mandates.
    The panel also considered the individual institution’s means employed to deliver the mandate such as stakeholder coalition-building and sustainability considerations.
    According to Business Day Panel’s assessment in year 2021, NASENI under Prof. Haruna’s leadership recorded impeccable achievements in areas of inventions, innovations and products development through multi-sector interventions.
    The verdict of the judges was that the Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI distinguished himself as an administrator per excellence through the various innovations introduced to NASENI.
    Because of the leadership by Prof. Haruna, NASENI rose from an obscure agency in the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology to an agency that has contributed immensely to national development.
    The Business Day also affirmed that due to the activities of its leader, NASENI has contributed to the development of local content in the critical areas of education, agriculture, water and health, aviation and transport sectors of the economy.
    Notable also among several achievements of the EVC/CE was the research and fabrication in 2019 of the equipment(disinfectant sprayers) used in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic, the initiation of the 1st Made-in-Nigeria helicopter, E-voting Solution, Smart Prepaid Energy Metre(SPEM) and many more.
    Prof Haruna received the Excellence in Public Service Award amidst other winners like the Honourable Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Managing Director/CEO, National Inland Waterways
    Authority(NIWA),Dr.George N.Moghalu, Managing Director, North East Development Commission(NEDC), Mohammed Alkali, Chairman/Chief Executive National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) Rtd. Brig.Gen.Buba Marwa, Federal Commissioner National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim. Others include: Executive Director,Rural Electricfication Funds(REF) Dr. Sanusi Mohammed Ohiare, Commissioner for Insurance, National Insurance Commission(NAICOM) Mr.Sunday Oludare Thomas and The Permanent Secretary, State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja, Mr.Tijani Idris Umar.
  • NASENI, Ugandan Embassy in Nigeria Agree on Technology Transfer

    NASENI, Ugandan Embassy in Nigeria Agree on Technology Transfer

    The need for African countries to look inward in the development of the region using science, technology and innovation came to the fore today in Abuja as the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) Engr. Prof Mohammed sani Haruna, on behalf the Federal Government, agreed to work with Ugandan Embassy in Nigeria in the areas of bilateral strategic  partnership on technology transfer, agro processing, renewable energy amongst others.
    The agreement was reached when His Excellency, the Uganda High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Nelson Ocheger paid a courtesy call to NASENI in Abuja, seeking possible areas of collaborations with the Agency.
    Receiving the delegation in his office after  tour of the Agency’s facilities, Prof. Haruna, said the time had come for African leaders to look inward and to work together with fellow African countries to develop the continent using their local resources, technology, human capital, including patronage of goods and services produced within the African continent.
    According to Haruna, “benefiting from each other’s advancements in technology and innovation is what will take Africa to where we want to be. Other continents do not want us to surpass them because we are their markets.”
    He said he believed that the founding fathers of NASENI had the ambition to halt over-dependence on other continents for technology, goods and services, that was why they set up the Agency in the first instance. He said “all it takes to develop the African region is to work by agreements and to embark on strategic partnership with other countries within the continent”
    While presenting the achievements and interventions by the Agency in power, agriculture, education, industries etc, he reiterated that the mandate of NASENI is to establish and nurture an appropriate and dynamic science and engineering infrastructure for achieving home-initiated and home-sustained industrialization through the development of relevant processes, capital goods and equipment necessary for job creation, national economic well-being and progress.
    Earlier in his remarks, the Ugandan High Commissioner to Nigeria Mr. Nelson Ocheger who was represented by the Charge d’affairs, Brig-Gen Herbert Mbonye said their mission in NASENI was to identify the possible areas of collaboration with the Nigerian government in areas of technology transfer, renewable energy, agro processing, capacity building, oil and gas and education amongst others.
    He said the only way to achieve such cooperation was by signing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Government through NASENI, which according to him, has a similar mandate with Uganda Research and Development Institute (UREI ) to ensure transfer of  appropriate technology for the development of the continent.
    According to him, Uganda has taken time to diversify her economy especially in agro processing sector, adding that 85% of Uganda GDP was from agriculture. “We are number one in food processing in Africa and number three globally.” He explained.
    “However, we may be in research and development, but technology on its own may end up in shelves. So we need capacity building in utilizing these technologies. We Africans have a long way to go, but inter-African cooperation is the way forward, adding that the Western World don’t have interest in sharing their technologies and ideas with Africans but perhaps show off of success. We must work together to strengthen our economies”. He said.
    While commending NASENI’s achievements, he said about 3, 200 Nigerian students are currently studying in Uganda and that there could be internship cooperation where NASENI sends staff to Uganda and vice visa for knowledge sharing.

  • Nigerian Airforce and NASENI to Finalise Work on First Made-in-Nigeria Helicopter

    The Airforce Institute of Technology (AFIT), which is the research and development(R&Ds) arm of the Nigeria Airforce and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure(NASENI) under the Presidency have taken up the challenge of completing all works on the first Made-in-Nigeria helicopter initiated by NASENI which President Muhammadu Buhari had directed should be launched before the end of his administration in 2023.
    Recently, in order to fast-track works on the Helicopter Project, the President directed the relocation of the Project from NASENI’s site in Abuja to AFIT in kaduna, Kaduna State.
    The official handover of space and hangar(Helipad) including the runaway for test-flight of the Helicopter located in Airforce Institute took place today in kaduna.
    President Buhari is the Chairman of the Governing Board of NASENI.
    The President had directed NASENI to complete works on the helicopter project and to make it ready for official launching by him before the expiration of his tenure in 2023.
    NASENI in 2017 entered into technical agreement with Dynali Helicopter Company in Belgium for the actualisation of the project before the latest directive by Mr.President that the project should be expanded to include collaboration with AFIT and the subsequent relocation of the project for its continuation at the Airforce institute in Kaduna.
    While briefing the commandant of AFIT, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive of NASENI, Engr. Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna explained that part of the Presidential directives was that all NASENI projects in Aeronautics should be relocated to AFIT and to be included in the collaborations between the two institutions.
    In other words, in the wisdom of Mr President, both military science and knowledge by civilians should be harnessed for the benefits of the larger Nigerian society, going forward.
    In his response, the Commandant of AFIT, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Aminu Yakubu said that the directive from the President “is a task that both NASENI and AFIT must carry out with all the resources that are required to bring the dream to pass”. “We are determined to collaborate to make the dream on the made-in-Nigeria helicopter become a reality”, he said.
    President Buhari’s directive also stated that AFIT shall provide space and helipad for the NASENI helicopter and to relocate the project to AFIT so that the two institutions could collaborate.
     Air Vice Marshal Yakubu said the collaboration between NASENI & AFIT was the clincher collaboration to launch Nigeria into relevance in the world of aviation with the proposed involvement in aircraft  design and development.
     The high capacity and manpower in this area have made the AFIT acquired experts about ten (10) Ph.Ds in aeronautics, he disclosed.
    The Airforce is at the verge of developing of unmanned aerial vehicles. AFIT has gone very far in the design and manufacturing of air vehicles, he said, stating further that the collaboration to produce the First made in Nigeria helicopter between the  two organisations was sacrosanct and therefore would be pursued with vigour in the days and months ahead.
    According to the terms of the collaboration, some NASENI technical staff will be resident in AFIT for adequate interface for the purpose of sharing knowledge and technical capacity.
     The handing over ceremony took place and the following items were handed over to the Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI: the hangar, office space and  run-way, where on completion of the aircraft, the Made in Nigeria helicopter will embark on test-flight.
    The Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI who was highly elated by the development explained that the journey to seeing the NASENI first-made-in Nigeria helicopter is coming gradually to fruition.
    Speaking to journalists, Prof Haruna said the journey to produce the First made in Nigeria helicopter began in 2017 and therefore now gradually coming towards its desired target.

  • Professor Haruna Offers Technical Solutions to Industrialization Push By the Federal Government

    The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive of National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) Engr.Prof.Mohammed Sani Haruna today in Kaduna reiterated that the only way to industrial and technological growth of the Nigerian economy is through Research and Development. He said any investment by government which does not take into account these particular elements in our subsequent plans and programs will make successive development agenda more or less an exercise in futility.
    Professor Haruna said that it was true that the Nigeria governments from the onset beginning from independence were desirous of industrial economy and technological development of Nigeria but the elements of investments in research and development had been missing and hence the frustrations of successive governments and particularly the citizens.
    What should be done?
    Prof Haruna said that unless the Government pay more attention, and funding research deliberately towards the industrial and technological sector, the economy will continue to develop at a lower pace.
    He spoke with Journalists at the Kaduna Polytechnic today, after the commissioning of a lecture theatre to honour him, following his contributions towards the development of technological advancements of the country.
    The EVC/CE of NASENI however commended the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for unequalled commitment to shore up the Research and Development sector towards redirecting the nation’s economic direction from over dependence on importation, by putting homegrown industrialization on track in Nigeria. He pointed out that “the Government of today is paying due attention to the development of Science and Technology sector generally by putting more funds in Infrastructure, training, capacity building and Research development “.
    The NASENI boss, who remarked that the outcome of Government’s efforts on funding research and development would be felt in no distant time, said that “For example, I Will tell you that my Agency had existed For 32 years, with funding mechanism in the past which was never implemented until the present administration”.
    Prof. Haruna listed sources of research and development funding in Nigeria to include the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Tetfund, Ecological Funds, PTDF and Local content funding agency and NASENI.
    He further added:” with the efforts of the present Government, and based on bilateral relations between Nigeria and Czech republic, the Federal government is offering a lot of money for Nigeria’s Researchers to solve various problems pervading the nation’s economy”.
    Besides, during the commissioning exercise, encomiums were showered
    on Prof Haruna’s contributions to technology and technical education in the country, especially at the Kaduna Polytechnic and other tertiary institutions.
    Among those who lauded Prof Haruna’s efforts, leading to the naming of the Lecture theatre at the Kaduna Polytechnics after him, were the Governing Chairman of the Polytechnic, Senator Muhammed Muhammed, the Acting Rector, Dr. Suleiman Umar and the National President of Kadpoly Alumni Association, Abada Anas Adamu.
  • NASENI Repositions to Industrialize Nigeria as Federal Government Tasks Entrepreneurs to Commercialize Agency’s R & Ds

    NASENI Repositions to Industrialize Nigeria as Federal Government Tasks Entrepreneurs to Commercialize Agency’s R & Ds

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Mr. Boss Mustapha has reiterated that a lot was being expected of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) by Nigerian masses, entrepreneurs, industries, SMEs and the Federal Government for the Agency to lead Nigeria in industrialization paths, even as the SGF assured management and staff of NASENI of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR consistent supports, as he had always demonstrated, to NASENI in developing new technologies, machines and products to promote diversification of the Nigeria economy.
    A Three (3)-Day Retreat for Technical Board Members & Managing Directors of NASENI development Institutes was just concluded at the weekend, aimed at repositioning NASENI to take on lead roles as the Agency of Federal Government charged with the responsibilities of providing capital goods, equipment, machines and process technologies needed for industrial revolution of Nigeria.
    While declaring the retreat officially open, Boss Mustapha tasked the Agency that all eyes of stakeholders in Nigeria’s growth and development efforts led by President Muhammadu Buhari now are on NASENI to chart new ways forward in the current drive by the administration to industrialize the country.
    Only recently President Buhari approved the allocation of one (1) percent federal revenue dedicated to fund R&Ds activities of NASENI amongst other enabling provisions. The Agency is the only purpose-built agency of the Federal Government by law to carry out research & development (R&Ds) works and activities including reverse engineering in the areas of capital goods production, technologies, manufacturing of machines and equipment needed to run factories and industries in Nigeria aimed at making the country become self-reliant.
    The SGF who was keynote speaker at the event, and also on behalf the Federal Government, charged NASENI to lead Nigeria in the popularization of home-initiated and home-sustained industrial goods, machines, technologies, equipment and reverse engineering of key processes to achieve sustainable economic recovery of Nigeria.
    President Muhammadu Buhari is the Chairman of NASENI Governing
    Board whom the SGF disclosed had reaffirmed his support to the Agency’s resolve towards charting a new path for the Nigeria’ss industrial revolution. “A home initiated industrialization is not only key to achieving a sustainable economic recovery for Nigeria but also it is the secret of the Asian Tigers, the magic of Europe and the culture of the Americans” he emphasized.
    Boss Mustapha, represented by the Permanent Secretary Cabinet Affairs Office, Mr. James Sule said the theme of the retreat “NASENI-The Vehicle for Nigeria’s industrialization” resonated with the Federal Government’s efforts towards positioning Nigerians to benefit from the fourth industrial revolution and to give assurance to the global community that “our nation is moving steadily toward providing industrial leadership for the African continent which the world eagerly awaits”
    The SGF directed that discussions by participants in the retreat must further strengthen President Buhari’s agenda and developmental goals whose priority areas included good governance, building a thriving and sustainable economy; enhancing social inclusion, reducing poverty; enlarging agricultural output for food security and export, attaining energy sufficiency in power and petroleum products as well as expanding access to quality education, affordable healthcare and productivity of Nigerians.
    Participants at the retreat included Forty five (45) technical board members and their chairmen in the nine (9) R&D institutes known as industrial development complexes of NASENI through which the Agency carries out its operations and mandate. Other participants included the Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Prof. Mohammed Haruna, Five (5) Coordinating Directors in the NASENI headquarters, Project Managers of eleven (11) NASENI emerging development Institutes and other management staff of the Agency.
    In his welcome address, Prof. Haruna said that President Muhammadu Buhari had directed full implementation of all statutory provisions of the establishment act of NASENI in line with global best practices for the Agency to compete favourably and deliver on its mandate of providing enabling environment for home initiated and home sustained industrialization of Nigeria. He noted that the mandate of the Agency was in the areas of capital goods research and development, adding that NASENI was established in the model and fashion of similar agencies in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brazil, Japan and Thailand. Those similar organizations, he explained, were at the forefront of provision of research and development works leading to their inventions and innovations of new and emerging technologies resulting in their economic prosperities and stabilities”. “These countries operate knowledge-based economies and as such, their sources of foreign exchange include advanced technologies such as passengers and military aircrafts; autonomous vehicles; conventional and renewable energy products, etc. NASENI is now being equipped to be at the forefront of leading Nigeria to the League of industrialized nations and hence the timely constitution and this orientation for members of Technical Board of Directors” he said.
    A communique issued at the end of the 3-Day retreat was aimed at jump-starting the industrialization vehicle of a new Nigeria industrial economy and hence participants resolved that NASENI, going forward should enhance its visibility and participation in the global market and as well chart a new path for the Nation’s industrialization reforms; it must prioritize its need-oriented products such as electric vehicles, microchips, solar cells among other Research and Development (R&D) Products. Also, the Agency should Promote R&Ds through home grown technologies to boost confidence in made-in-Nigeria products and discourage importation of similar goods, even as it is pertinent that it collaborates in the areas of innovation, production and technology transfer to SME’s through Private Public Partnership (PPP).
    The Retreat held at Royal Institute for Training & Human Capital Development, Zuma Rock Resort, Niger State further resolved that all Technical Board Members and Managing Directors of NASENI Institutes must interact more regularly, learn from one another and to share knowledge with the view to sustain the new direction for NASENI; that members of the Technical Board of Directors (MTBDs) should continue to use their wealth of experience, technical know-how and exposure to guide the Research and Development (R&D) directions of the Institutes in line with the mandates of NASENI and mono mandate of the development institutes,
    towards Nigeria’s transition to a manufacturing economy.
    The communique further indicated that NASENI should create baseline indices for Development
    Institutes to set targets and measure performance and enhance the
    Synergy between NASENI, Universities, Polytechnics, Research
    Institutions and the industries; that each institute should identify at least one need oriented product for full development and commercialization within a maximum time frame of 24 months for immediate production and Commercialization; NASENI is to establish Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for all its processes in line with good corporate governance and business codes of ethics, develop and automate a dispassionate risk
    assessment processes to enhance internal control mechanism to prevent
    corruption and determine appropriate compensation mechanisms for all
    Staff and engender high moral and discipline in staff of all categories.
    The retreat was indeed a remarkable event which brought together stakeholders under one environment to brainstorm and chart a new direction for NASENI. Participants appreciated the work done by NASENI so far and resolved that Nigerians had high expectations of NASENI for the much needed industrialization of the country and expressed hope that NASENI is repositioned for improved service delivery.
  • Nigeria Envoy to Jordan Lauds NASENI EVC Over Speedy Implementation of Collaboration Between Nigeria & Jordan on Technology Transfer, Food & Agriculture

    Nigeria Envoy to Jordan Lauds NASENI EVC Over Speedy Implementation of Collaboration Between Nigeria & Jordan on Technology Transfer, Food & Agriculture

    The Ambassador of Nigeria to Jordan, His Excellency, Faruk Malami Yabo has expressed delight in Engr. Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna and management of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) for quick response in the implementation of collaboration between Nigeria and Jordan on technology transfer, training, food security and Agriculture mechanization which were outcomes of the recent agreement signed between the Agency and the Gheras, Decapolis and Ebsilon Group, Hashemite both institutions in Jordan.
    Ambassador Yabo said in his sojourn as Nigeria envoy to Jordan, NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman had been so distinct amongst so many other personalities back home that he had worked with as an Ambassador. According to him “Of all the collaborations only that which has materialized with speed is NASENI”. He stressed.
    Earlier in the month, the Federal Government through NASENI has signed MoU with Ebsilon Hashemite kingdom of Jordan on Education and Training Development to establish technology transfer that would enable NASENI, through the implementation of CertVeri System to offer state-of-art online instantaneous certificates verification to beneficiaries. The system will enable NASENI to help different entities (ministries, embassies, universities, educational entities and some other government departments, etc.) to use CertVeri System as one-stop station to digitally display their certificates for authentication whenever it is required.
    The MoU that NASENI signed with the Decapolis on Food & Agriculture Traceability Technology Solution will enable Nigeria to exploit the Decapolis Food Guard platform, to certify the safety and quality of Nigerian food and agriculture products and to improve the efficiency of production and farming operations.
    The NASENI deal with the Jordanese organizations was aimed at creating new economic development paths for Nigeria’s industrialization which had been the focus and commitment of the Agency. According to the EVC/CE, NASENI is working with Gheras, Decapolis and Ebsilon Group, Hashemite kingdom of Jordan on the areas of Technology Transfer, domestication of Education and Training Development and on Food/Agriculture Traceability Technology Solutions.
    Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Vice Chairman however said it was the commitment, hard work, transformational zeal of the Nigerian Ambassador to Jordan to see how the structures of Nigeria economic system back home would prosper that made the signing of the MoU possible. He said the Ambassador was able to look inwards and found veritable areas of collaboration between Nigeria and Jordan, especially in educational system and agriculture, those areas he knew would benefit the two countries and within the mandate of NASENI”.
    Prof Haruna explained that the team was on familiarization visit to the Agency and also for technical assessment concerning the implementation of the two key projects contained in the MoU in order to have them domesticated in Nigeria. “The collaboration will revolutionize how we do agriculture and technology in the country. The MoU is not a regular one, the implementation has started in Nigeria with their visit” said EVC/CE.
    Responding, Ambassador Faruk Yabo, said he was highly delighted and honoured by the Agency. He said that the mandate given to him by President Muhammadu Buhari in Jordan was to make sure that Nigeria entered into bilateral relationship with institutions from Nigeria and Jordan. “Of all the collaborations that has materialized with speed is NASENI”.
    The Ambassador noted that Nigeria has strong military collaboration with Jordan, adding that the model in Jordan could work in Nigeria as Jordan has unique location and were able to maintain relations with neighbouring countries despite the crisis surrounding the country.
    He advised the government that “it is only technology that can make Nigeria catch up with development around the world and the reason for Nigeria’s on- going collaboration with Jordan.”
    Also in his response, Mr. Joudi Ahmad Sheikh Sa’id, Chief Executive Officer, Ebsilon for Education and Training Development said it was his first time of meeting a hardworking Ambassador who was ready to establish a working relationship with Jordan. “We are trying to do something for our countries and I believe we will work together to achieve this” he said.
  • Senate committee enjoins NASENI to chart new economic paths for Nigeria industrialization

    Senate committee enjoins NASENI to chart new economic paths for Nigeria industrialization

    “Except an underdeveloped nation gives priority attention to investment in science and technology innovation, adequate finance, including deliberate development of the human capital sector, the dichotomy between the third world and the advanced countries will continue to widen, and therefore the solution lies mainly at the extent to which Science and Engineering infrastructure have been developed towards massive industrialization of the country”.

    With those words, the Senate Committee on Science and Technology Innovation led by its Chairman, Dr. Uche Ekwunife today in Abuja embarked on its 2022 oversight function on activities of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) headquarters, even as the Senators enjoined NASENI to chart a new economic paths and prosperity for the Nation.

    Howbeit the oversight meeting was spiked with commendation and encomiums poured on the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive of NASENI, Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna and management by the distinguished Senators who acknowledged the tremendous efforts of the headship of the Agency in the renewed efforts to chart fresh direction toward industrialisation of the country while enjoining the Agency to lay a solid foundation for Nigeria’s emergence as knowledge based economy.

    The Senate Committee Chairman specifically urged NASENI to deliver on its 1% statutory allocation from the Federation Account which is now provided and its 0.25% levy on commercial companies with turnover of N100 million to be credited to the Agency soon by the Federal inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as enacted in the law and approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.

    Mrs. Uche Ekwunife in her opening remarks before tour of on-going projects said ”the only difference between developed and under-developed countries is infrastructural development and NASENI has the funding required now to bridge that gap for Nigeria, therefore to whom much is given, much is expected”. She urged NASENI to remain in the frontline for industrial revolution of Nigeria and to spend its fund judiciously as there would be no excuse for failure, even as she said that ”the Senate believed in the capacities of Men and women in the employment of the Agency”

    She said, NASENI’s new status as direct beneficiary of frontline charge in the Federation Account puts so much burden on it as the Agency was no longer in the budget system of the Federal Government but relies solely on income from the Federation account and levy from the FIRS, adding that the Senate was able to achieve this feat not because President Mohammed Buhari is the Chairman of the Agency’s board but also the President had the interest to develop the nation through science, technology and innovation just like the lawmakers.

    NASENI was created in 1992 to make available in the Nigeria market, the primary and intermediate capital products required for machine and equipment design, fabrication and mass production in order to provide enabling environments for sustainable industrialization of the country. According to Senator Ekwunife “the legislative arm of the government is ever determined to encourage any positive step taken towards the development of Science and Engineering Infrastructure for socio-economic well-being of the nation”

    NASENI, she remarked, has proven its capacity to deliver development goods through its achievements in the production and promotion of local contents with its numerous innovations, and that was the reason why it got massive supports from the legislative arm of government both Senate and the House of Representatives.

    She recalled that the Senate Committee had at various times in the past engaged the FIRS over the companies levy accruable to NASENI as provided by the Act establishing the Agency and eventually secured application of its provision in the Act, “It is also on record that in December last year, the Committee participated in the debates for $276.9 million Chinese loan to NASENI and eventually got the loan approved”.

    Speaking on the reasons why the Committee embarked on the oversight visit, she said, “central to the visit amongst others are to ensure that public funds are expended in cost effective and cost-efficient manner, evaluate programmes of the Agency and acquisition of useful information for future policy making and decisions”. She said the Committee was interested in the success of NASENI projects like the establishment of Transformer Production Plant and High Voltage Testing Laboratory and also to evaluate the progress recorded with NASENI’s collaboration with Indonesia on technology transfer in the areas of aircrafts design, spare parts production, military vehicles weaponry, ammunition and military vessels among other ongoing projects of the Agency”

    Responding, the EVC/CE who led the Committee on the facility and projects tour said that the management of the Agency would do all that are required of it to justify its new funding status as expected in the renewed journey of Nigeria toward industrialization having NASENI at the driver seat, while assuring all that the Agency will not disappoint Nigeria .

  • NASENI to release first batch of smart meters soon

    NASENI to release first batch of smart meters soon

    National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI, has assured that its first batch of smart meters would be available in the market by next week.

     

    Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive of NASENI, Prof. Mohammed Haruna, made the disclosure at the Technology and Innovation Expo 2022, organised by the Federal Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation (FMSTI), Abuja.

     

    The innovation which was invented by NASENI. The innovation which was invented by NASENI was successfully bided for and won by the private sector which commenced mass production and is ready to push the products into the market.

     

    Speaking at the event, Prof. Haruna said several of the agency’s innovations have offtakers.

     

    He explained that the agency looks out for what the country desperately needs and seeks partnership with the private sector before embarking on projects that are always of international standard.

     

    In his words: “The products on display today are not same as last year it has always been our policy to display new exhibitions every year.

     

    “I assure you that several of these products have offtakers already, there are some private sectors already who have agreements with us for mass production, we are not displaying what we displayed last year in terms of the smart meters because the private sector that won the bidding to take it to the market are in the process of mass production, they just assured me that the first batch of mass production will be out next week.

     

    “So before we do anything we ask what is needed in the market and who is the private sector partnering with us locally to ensure that these products are of international standard and have the wherewithal for exportation luckily their where promising structures and facilities available by the government to promote export, export promoting council has so many packages that encourages and supports exportation of Nigerian products with so many incentives and the private sector is aware of it and our partnership gives them an edge to benefit from such incentives.

     

    “In terms of petroleum, our contribution to the sector is trying to ensure that within a short period, our modular refinery system has reached a stage where it can be developed. It is already done, however there are additional research and work to perfect it to ensure it can be deployed and now with funding guaranteed and provided for NASENI, I think it will be easier for us to go forward. Capacities of some researchers that we need to enhance to be able to perfect this in our plan.

     

    “There are promising indicators already against the backdrop of a World Bank report of January 2022. Nigeria’s economy is expected to grow by 2.5% in 2022 and 2.8% in 2023. Based on the report, global growth is expected to decelerate markedly from 5.5 per cent to 4.1 percent in 2022, then 3.2 percent in 2023. In order to sustain this economic growth, Nigeria has no alternative than to continuously invest generously in research and development in the areas of Science, Technology and Innovation.”

  • NYSC, NASENI agree to make corps members new hub of Nigeria human capital development & industrialization

    NYSC, NASENI agree to make corps members new hub of Nigeria human capital development & industrialization

    The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive (EVC/CE) of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Engr. Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna and the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim have agreed through their institutions to train corps members as a new base for the cultivation of Entrepreneurial skills in order to achieve a new industrial economy for Nigeria and to guarantee the future of the country.

     

    Prof Haruna said the drive to a New Nigeria Industrial economy will be built on human beings and their ingenuities, the searchlight of NASENI now generally is to build the Nigeria young people and particularly Corp members.

     

    The EVC/CE of NASENI who disclosed this today in Abuja when the Director-General of NYSC and his team paid him a visit at the Agency’s Headquarters in Abuja said the NYSC is contributing tremendously to the pool of vibrant and youthful human resources need to be required to build a new economy and also kickstart a manufacturing sector which is at the heart of economic growth and development of the country.

     

    According to Prof Haruna, “NYSC has a complete orientation of those who have the knowledge and intellectual foundation to keep the country in constant supplies of the human capital so we can achieve a meaningful industrial revolution of Nigeria”.

     

    The NYSC and NASENI need to work in collaboration to catch the future young entrepreneurs from there in the scheme.” He reiterated that NASENI was willing to collaborate with NYSC in order to build a hub of future entrepreneurs that would drive the nation’s economy to the desired heights, especially in the development of Science, Technology and Innovation.

     

    Responding, the NYSC Director-General said NYSC has contributed enormously to the nation’s development, saying the Service introduced skill acquisition and training of corps members as far back as 2012 in order to shape them for future Nigeria development.

    Therefore, collaborating with NASENI was a great impetus to the strides that the scheme had already commenced.

     

    He said the great potential exists with the youths “because they are innovative and we should encourage them. They did a lot during COVID 19 Pandemic as corps members, they developed an App where children could be educated on the dangers or prevention of the virus”.

     

    “I believe the corps members will benefit so much from NASENI. So we solicit for partnership with the Agency and to work out areas of possible collaboration. We can bring them from other centres to come and learn skills acquisition or technology-based businesses from NASENI. We are ready to work with you”, he stated.

     

    In a similar development, the Group Managing Director/CEO of Proforce Intelligence System Limited, Mr. Ade Ogundeyin and his team were in NASENI for a courtesy visit and to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) on transfer of knowledge in the areas of Automotive Engineering which included: engine production, green transportation, that is Electric Buses (with possibilities of solar options) and CNG Buses, Production of tyres, steel production (Balistic Steels), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or Drone, which also include Weaponized UAS or UAVs and Unmanned Ground Vehicles. This will also include research work done, journal papers, technical specifications and drawings, production methodologies, inventions, prototypes and models amongst others.

     

    Also, the Chairman of MOMAS Electricity Meters, Engr. Kola Balogun and his team paid a courtesy visit to NASENI and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to undertake specific joint projects with legally binding obligations and in turn develop a specific written agreement for such projects, setting out each party’s contributions on deliverables and budgets.

     

    The MoU also sought to undertake specific joint projects in the areas of research and development of metering technology solutions, develop more research concepts to reform electricity metering under the power, security and agricultural sectors. The two organisations will Collaborate within the areas of research and development training and capacity building for metering solutions amongst other agreements.

     

    The National Chairman of Nigerian Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Engr. Prof. Folarin Alonge was amongst the teams which visited the Agency headquarters to discuss possible areas of collaboration with NASENII for the development of mechanized agriculture across the country.

     

    He also said that the visit was to follow up on their previous discussions with NASENI Chief Executive on the promotion of science and engineering development in the country.

     

    Responding the NASENI Boss said that the Agency was willing to partner with the parties, saying they all were helping the Agency to carry out its mandate in Nigeria.

     

  • NASENI To Take Lead in Facilitating Nation’s Economic Growth -MAN President

    NASENI To Take Lead in Facilitating Nation’s Economic Growth -MAN President

    The President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Engr. Mansur Ahmed has disclosed that Nigeria had need to spend N3 trillion over the space of 30 years to bridge the country’s infrastructure gap even as he urged the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to play lead role of leveraging on Science, Technology and Engineering infrastructures to fully facilitate sustainable economic growth and development of Nigeria in line with the objectives of the National Development Plans (NDP) 2021-2025 and beyond.

    In his keynote address at the occasion of NASENI Day event held in Abuja at the Technology and Innovation Expo 2022, organized by the Federal Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation (FMSTI), the MAN President said NASENI was central to the sustainable delivery of the National Economic Development plans which requires N348.1 trillion investment which 85% is expected to come from the private sector.

    The MAN President, represented by Mr. Nyananso Gabriel Ekanem, Managing Consultant, WeirCapacity, stated that the six broad objectives of the Nigeria development plan are: Economic diversification, investment in infrastructure, security and good governance, educated and healthy population, poverty alleviation and economic and social development across States of the federation.

    Decrying the financial gap in infrastructural development, he said, Nigeria needed to spend N3 trillion over the space of 30 years in order to bridge the country’s infrastructure gap.
    “Significant financing from the private sector and multilateral funding are needed to address Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit. Nigeria is behind other emerging market peers and will require significant investments to bridge its infrastructure gap.”

    He further stressed that “NASENI should align its strategic directions with the objectives of Nigeria’s National Development plans (starting with NDP 2021-2025). NASENI may also need to rework its institutional structure, infrastructure need and resource plans in tandem with emerging requirements for the implementation of NDPs. NASENI should take the lead role for leveraging the Nigeria science, technology and engineering infrastructure to fully facilitate sustainable economic growth and development of the country”.

    He however noted that Nigeria is faced with many budgeting and financing challenges, which according to him include weak institutions and governance framework along with a low tax base which was hindering infrastructure investments.

    In his address, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive of NASENI, Engr. Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna said the need to embrace and develop local capacity and capability for innovations leading to a manufacturing economy and growth could not be overemphasized. He frowned at the Nigeria economy being at the mercy of a fluctuating commodity market alone.

    Prof. Haruna said “Science and Engineering Infrastructure drive all economies of the world. Our national economy will continue to be in stagnations except we invest in science and engineering infrastructure both in facilities and human capacity. Our manufacturing sector which ought to be a major driver of our economy is suffering because of lack of engineering and other social economic infrastructures”
    The NASENI boss used the occasion to commend President Muhammadu Buhari for approving and granting all that were needed to reposition NASENI for a solid and sustainable industrialization of Nigeria including funding requirements.

    According to Prof. Haruna “there are promising indicators already against the backdrop of a World Bank report of January 2022. Nigeria’s economy is expected to grow by 2.5% in 2022 and 2.8% in 2023. Based on the report, global growth is expected to decelerate markedly from 5.5 per cent to 4.1 percent in 2022, then 3.2 percent in 2023. In order to sustain this economic growth, Nigeria has no alternative than to continuously invest generously in research and development in the areas of Science, Technology and Innovation”, he explained.

    Speaking as the chair of the occasion, former President of MAN, Chief kola Jamodu expressed satisfaction in NASENI’s capacity and innovations, therefore, he encouraged investors, entrepreneurs, and the general public to patronize NASENI’s local and indigenous technologies.