The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) is at the forefront of promoting the industrialization drive of the Federal Government to transform the economy and to make it more competitive. NASENI has the mandate to make available to the market the primary and intermediate capital products needed for machine and equipment design, fabrication, and for mass production.
The Agency’s broad mandate areas include but are not restricted to Engineering Materials; Scientific Equipment and Components for Education, Research, and Industry, Communication Equipment and Computers; Engineering Accessories (mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, and electronic); Engineering Design of components parts, plants, and processes.
Others are Power Equipment (generation, transmission, distribution, and prime mover); Mechanical Engineering tools (power tools, hand tools, cutting tools and machine tools), Prototype Development, Advanced Manufacturing Technology programmes, Advanced Materials and Nano Technology and New and Emerging Technologies.
NASENI’s primary target is to empower Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) through impartation of technologies, engineering principles and practices to produce equipment that will meet international standards as well as sustenance of a flourishing local capital goods or industry.
So far, the Agency has made huge investments in technologies, spare parts, and components manufacturing over the years with the establishment of various mono-mandate institutes across the country, targeting different segments and sectors of the economy. It has also established research and development centres to promote innovation and technological advancement including healthcare, Power, transportation, Industries, education and construction.
This mandate was strengthened when Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu took office as the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency and began the implementation of the 3Cs policy of Creation, Collaboration and Commercialization, aimed at turning research and development (R&D) prototypes into finished goods and moving them to the market to boost the economy.
In recent times, the Agency moved a step further with investments in technologies such as renewable energy where it has demonstrated capacity and competence with the development of solar irrigation system, solar street lights, and lithium batteries and solar panel to promote renewable energy solutions.
According to Halilu, NASENI will continue on its path toward economic recovery and technological empowerment while supporting and engaging with industries, manufacturers, government entities, and private individuals to strengthen the need to harness every resource available to boost the Nigerian economy.
In the field of agricultural technology, the Agency has invested in manufacturing and fabrication technologies for production of products such as solar irrigation pump, Rice Thresher machine and Rice Destoner machine, Cassava processing machine, animal feed milling machine, etc., to improve agricultural productivity and food security.
NASENI’s investment in technologies, spare parts and components are situated in different parts of the country. For instance, the Hydraulic Equipment Development Institute (HEDI), Kano, an institute of NASENI produces Drilling Rig, Ultra-Violet Water Treatment PLZNR, etc.
In Niger State, the Scientific Equipment Development Institute (SEDI) Minna manufactures Bunsen burner base, Linear expansion apparatus, Ball and ring apparatus, Tripod stand, Rain gauge, Wind vane, Pulley wheel, Knife edge, Pendulum bulb, Battery holder, glass, Conical flasks, Measuring cylinders, Test tubes, Pipettes, Condensers U-tube manometer, Distillation flask, Bulbs, Volumetric flask, Beaker, Burette, Funnel decanter and Soxhlet Extractor 100ml among others.
The Electronics Development Institute (ELDI), in Awka, Anambra State produces NASENI Solar Generator, NASENI 5 Watts Bulb, 18 Watts Ceiling Light, Solar Lightning System, KSH Electronics Medical Test Compact System, Gordian Automatic Voltage Regulator, Digital Weighing Machine (Digiscale), Electronics Science Kit, Wireless Charging Table, Electronic Stun Gun, Automated Poultry System, Solar Training Kit, DC Cell Phone Charging Station, Cell Phone Charger, Solar Inverter and Football Information Display System.
At the Scientific Equipment Development Institute (SEDI), Enugu State, the center produces Electrical and Electronic products such as 2.5 KVA Voltmeter, Magnetizing/Demagnetizing Equipment, Micro Tool Kit, Transformer Trainer, Transmission Line Trainer, Mountable and Dismountable Transformer, 7KVA Automatic Change Over.
Other investments of NASENI include the Engineering Materials Development Institute (EMDI), Akure, Ondo State, which produces engineering materials and equipment of various types, sections and sizes; the Electronic Development Institute (ELDI), Awka, Anambra State, which produces electronics and spare parts.
Other Investments include the Hydraulic Equipment Development Institute (HEDI), Kano, Kano State, which produces hydraulic and pneumatic machinery; the National Engineering Design Development Institute (NEDDI), Nnewi, Anambra State, which develops engineering designs technologies and disseminate same to SMEs in the oil and gas industries and other sectors.
In the power sector, NASENI’s Power Equipment and Electrical Machinery Development Institute (PEEMADI), Okene, Kogi State, produces and distributes power equipment spares and components as well as the Prototype Engineering Development Institute (PEDI), Ilesha, Osun State, which develops engineering prototypes and production systems for the private sector satellite industries.
In the area of cutting edge-technologies, the Agency established the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Development Institute (AMTDI) Jalingo, Taraba State, which produces advanced manufacturing technologies as well as the Solid Minerals Machinery & Equipment Development Institute (SOMMEDI), Nasarawa state, which focuses on tools, equipment and machines for the solid mineral sector.
NASENI’s strategic focus on agriculture and food manufacturing has led it to collaborate with PT Saputra Global Harvest of Indonesia on coal-based fertilizers, aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s agricultural output and food security. This recent development involves the supply of machinery, training of personnel and establishment of two coal-based fertilizer plants in Nigeria to bolster agricultural productivity and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.
Additionally, the Delta-2 projects, in partnership with the Czech Republic, aims at fostering innovation in agriculture, mining, and manufacturing for SMEs, yield patents and technologies that directly benefit Nigerian farmers, miners, and MSME operators. These will positively impact on manufacturing, enhance Nigeria’s digital economy and create job opportunities for millions of youths, and scale up technologies to boost manufacturing industries.
As Nigeria continues on its path toward economic recovery and technological empowerment, the support and engagement from industries, manufacturers, government entities, and private individuals with NASENI become increasingly significant. These collaborations will not only foster innovation but also ensure the widespread adoption and commercialization of locally developed technologies.
According to Halilu, the potential for NASENI to lead Nigeria into the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) showcases an exciting future for the nation’s economy. The journey ahead, he added, is filled with opportunities, and by joining forces, “we can unlock the full potential of Nigerian innovation and industrial prowess, moving closer to a prosperous and self-sustaining future.”
The Federal Government’s role in supporting NASENI’s mission is crucial. The government has tasked NASENI with spearheading home-initiated and home-sustained industrial goods and technologies, which are vital for Nigeria’s economic recovery. This support is evident in the government’s directive to align discussions and initiatives with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s developmental goals, which focus on good-governance, economy, social inclusion, and infrastructure.
Under the leadership of Halilu, NASENI has adopted a fast-track approach to technology transfer and commercialization of its research and development (R&D) products, focusing on job creation, wealth generation, and reducing import bills.
Furthermore, NASENI engages in technology transfer, both locally and internationally, to domesticate and commercialize technologies. This approach has attracted over 20 partners to Nigeria, demonstrating the Agency’s role in de-risking investment and fostering conducive environment for technology adoption and industrial growth.
Looking ahead, NASENI is poised to lead Nigeria’s charge into the 4th Industrial Revolution by focusing on need-oriented products like electric vehicles and microchips. The emphasis also is on promoting R&D through indigenous technologies, which boosts confidence in made-in-Nigeria products and reduces the importation of similar goods.
This approach aligns with the federal government’s drive to industrialize the nation and position Nigeria to benefit from and provide industrial leadership in the forthcoming global technological era.