Renewed Hope Media Tour Hails NASENI’s Innovation Drive, Says Tinubu’s Industrial Agenda Delivering Results
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Presidential Renewed Hope Media Tour has applauded the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) for its remarkable progress in promoting indigenous technology and local manufacturing, describing the agency as a shining example of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s industrialisation agenda and Nigeria First Policy in action.
The commendation came during the team’s visit to NASENI headquarters in Abuja, where members inspected a wide range of locally developed technologies and innovations spanning drone manufacturing, electric mobility, renewable energy, precision engineering, agricultural technology, recycling and youth-driven innovation.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Information, Segun Ayeoyenikan, the Presidential Media Tour described NASENI’s transformation over the last three years as evidence that Nigeria possesses the capacity to innovate, manufacture and commercialise world-class technologies capable of driving industrial growth and economic diversification.
Speaking on behalf of the Presidential Media Team, the Special Adviser to the President on Communication, Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, expressed admiration for NASENI’s achievements, describing the visit in three words: “impressive, impressive, impressive.”
He said the innovations showcased demonstrated the enormous potential of Nigerian youths when provided with purposeful leadership, institutional support and an enabling environment.
The team also credited the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, for repositioning the agency through accelerated technology transfer, adaptation of foreign technologies, localisation of innovation and commercialisation of home-grown solutions.
Addressing the delegation, Halilu challenged the widespread belief that successful local manufacturing must rely entirely on 100 per cent locally sourced components, arguing that such an expectation was unrealistic in today’s interconnected global economy.
Using Apple Inc. as an example, he said nations achieve industrial success by concentrating on their comparative advantages in innovation, design and strategic partnerships.
“If you attempt to make everything 100 per cent local, you are pushing yourself out of civilisation. Today, Apple is one of the biggest technology companies in the world because they are intentional and strategic in building on their area of strength. Nations must understand their strengths because that is what makes businesses sustainable and competitive,” Halilu said.
He explained that NASENI now prioritises innovations capable of creating jobs, reducing production costs and adding measurable value to Nigeria’s economy in line with the Federal Government’s Nigeria First Policy.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, commended NASENI’s achievements and urged the media to intensify coverage of government programmes and developmental milestones across sectors.
According to him, Nigerians deserve balanced reporting that highlights ongoing investments in healthcare, technology, infrastructure and industrialisation alongside existing national challenges.
He said the administration of President Tinubu remained committed to repositioning Nigeria for sustainable growth and called on citizens and the media to support the national development agenda.
Similarly, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, stressed the need for strategic communication and stronger patronage of locally developed technologies to accelerate industrial development.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Chief Sunday Dare, described the visit as “a massive eye-opener” and advocated a policy requiring Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to first determine whether required technologies and products could be sourced from NASENI or other indigenous manufacturers before resorting to imports.
He said such an approach would strengthen Nigeria’s domestic manufacturing capacity while giving practical effect to the Nigeria First Policy.
Other members of the Presidential Communications Team, including Mr. Tunde Rahman and Mr. Otega Ogra, also praised NASENI’s innovations, particularly locally assembled electric vehicles, electric tricycles, electric motorcycles, drones, solar technologies and strategic partnerships with private-sector firms.
Responding to questions on affordability and sustainability, Halilu assured stakeholders that NASENI works closely with technology partners and manufacturers to ensure adequate after-sales support, availability of spare parts and commercial viability of locally developed products.
He disclosed that the agency identifies innovators through its digital platform, mentors successful applicants and links them with manufacturers to scale production, while its Innovate Naija Challenge, backed by a ₦500 million prize fund, is designed to identify and commercialise outstanding Nigerian innovations.
During the tour, the delegation inspected advanced surveillance and agricultural drones capable of autonomous operations, helicopter assembly projects, reverse engineering facilities, renewable energy technologies and precision manufacturing equipment capable of reproducing industrial components with micron-level accuracy.
The visitors also observed NASENI’s zero-waste manufacturing model, which converts industrial scrap into commercially valuable products, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to sustainable industrial production.
At the end of the tour, stakeholders called for sustained national campaigns to promote Nigerian-made technologies, deepen local manufacturing, reduce import dependence and transform President Tinubu’s industrialisation agenda into measurable economic outcomes.
