The Presidency has commended the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI, for expanding local technology development through the assembly of drones, agricultural equipment, diagnostic test kits and other innovations.
Senior presidential aides gave the commendation on Tuesday during a tour of six factories, production facilities and the NASENI showroom at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
The officials inspected locally assembled unmanned aerial vehicles, agricultural technologies, diagnostic test kits and other products developed through partnerships between NASENI and private-sector firms.
The visit comes amid renewed efforts by the Federal Government to promote local content, reduce dependence on imported products and accelerate technology-driven industrial growth under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking during the tour, Mr Onanuga praised the transformation of NASENI under its Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Khalil Halilu.
He said the agency had recorded significant progress in innovation and technology development since Mr Halilu assumed office.
“NASENI has done really well. This agency was created in 1992, yet, in three years, you can see how Mr Halilu has turned it around,” Mr Onanuga said.
“I was here last year and found some of his innovations remarkable. I can see the Renewed Hope transformation in this agency.
“We must commend you and encourage you to continue to justify the confidence the President has in the youth of this country to apply their skills to develop the country.”
Mr Dare said the innovations showcased by NASENI reflected the Tinubu administration’s eight-point agenda, particularly in technology transfer, artificial intelligence, agricultural mechanisation and industrial development.
He said the agency was making technologies previously considered beyond the reach of ordinary Nigerians more accessible.
“From the technology transfer and AI precision on display, we are beginning to see the results. NASENI is bringing technology that was once seen as utopian to the level of ordinary people,” Dare said.
He commended the agency’s efforts to develop modern agricultural equipment capable of improving farming productivity and reducing dependence on traditional tools.
Mr Dare also highlighted NASENI’s partnership in the production of diagnostic test kits, noting that Nigeria currently relies heavily on imports to meet its needs.
“I also saw the factory that you partnered with for test kits. Interestingly, when you look at the data, almost 80 per cent of our test kits come from outside the country,” he said.
The presidential aide called for a procurement framework that would require Ministries, Departments and Agencies to determine whether products needed for government operations were available locally before approving their importation.
“We need to develop a model that makes it almost mandatory for MDAs, before they go outside or import, to obtain clearance to determine whether the products are already being produced here before they can proceed,” Mr Dare said.
Mrs Bala-Usman also praised NASENI’s management, describing Halilu as a visionary and committed leader who had demonstrated a clear understanding of the agency’s potentials.