By Onu Okorie

National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has recorded significant strides in technology development, industrialisation and commercialisation in the three years since its Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, assumed office.
Halilu, who took over in September 2023, said the agency had focused on bridging the gap between Nigeria’s research capacity and industrial output by connecting innovation, infrastructure, skilled manpower, finance, manufacturing and market access.
Speaking as NASENI marked three years of institutional transformation on Friday, September 4, 2026, Halilu said the agency had moved from a collection of research assets towards becoming a connected national platform for technology transfer, manufacturing and commercialisation.
Under his leadership, NASENI has awarded N229 million to 14 researchers through its Research Commercialisation Grant Programme, supporting projects in agriculture, clean energy, healthcare, mobility and digital security. The agency is also implementing DELTA-2, a Nigeria-Czech Republic programme focused on applied research, experimental development and technology transfer.
NASENI said it had developed and introduced more than 40 products covering renewable energy, mobility, agriculture, healthcare, information technology, home appliances, clean cooking and education. These include solar irrigation pumps, solar home systems, electric vehicles, electric tricycles, CNG conversion solutions, smartphones, tablets, laptops, diagnostic kits and clean cookstoves.
The agency is also developing a 40-hectare Solar Industrial Park in Gora, Nasarawa State, to support solar research, manufacturing, testing and deployment. Other initiatives include NASENI DevFrontier and NASRacks, aimed at strengthening local production of solar streetlights and mounting structures.
In transportation, NASENI is developing an electric vehicle assembly facility at Abuja Technology Village, while CNG conversion and reverse-engineering centres have been established in Abuja.
The agency has also expanded interventions in agriculture through solar-powered irrigation, tractor refurbishment and agricultural incubation centres. In healthcare, the NASENI-Troment Rapid Diagnostics Factory in Abuja is expected to strengthen local production of medical diagnostic products.
Beyond infrastructure, NASENI has introduced programmes including FutureMakers, SheFly, DELT-Her, InnovateNaija and the Reverse Japa Programme to develop talent, support women and reconnect Nigerian researchers abroad with opportunities at home.
Halilu said the agency’s next phase would focus on scaling commercial production, deepening local content, improving standards and certification, increasing factory utilisation and expanding market adoption. “The real test is whether our products are adopted, our factories operate sustainably, our partnerships transfer useful capabilities, our trainees secure livelihoods and more value remain within the Nigerian economy,” he said.
He added that the ultimate goal was to help Nigeria develop the capacity to manufacture what it needs.
“The work is still in progress, but the direction is clear,” Halilu said. “Nigeria’s industrial future will be built through capable institutions, skilled people, competitive products and factories that produce.”
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