The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has ramped up efforts to drive Nigerian to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) through massive investments in technology centres and parks scattered around the country.
This strategic move by NASENI is to ensure that the country is not left out of the much talked about Fourth Industrial Revolution, where Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of things (IoT) and all the modern forms of technology shaping the global arena are domiciled.
NASENI’s effort was demonstrated recently when it unveiled its strategic partnership with the Abuja Technology Village (ATV) to develop 300 hectares of land dedicated to factories, technology companies, and innovation-driven manufacturing plants to boost the national economy.
The initiative is anchored on the belief by the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, on the need for the Agency to partner with local and foreign organisations to transform NASENI allotted sites at the Abuja Technology Village from a research-centric institution into a fully-fledged manufacturing agency.
According to Halilu “NASENI will work to attract investments and create job opportunities through this initiative. Our goal is to promote national brands and local production through the Abuja Technology Village. This is just the beginning; more factories will rise, and innovation will flourish within the 300 hectares.
“We are assuring that Abuja Technology Village that it will not be disappointed. We will no longer keep our research on the shelves as prototypes. Today, we are making a clear commitment to turn renewable energy and other innovations into real, market-ready products. This partnership with Abuja Technology Village is a key step in that direction,” he added.
NASENI through large-scale research and development efforts last year developed 35 market-viable products, that are now being commercialized and with the collaboration with Abuja Technology Village those innovations will be improved upon for mutual benefits of the partnership as shared goals such as strategic location, investment incentives, and a joint vision for technological advancement of Nigeria and the economy have been the cornerstone of this collaboration.
The Abuja Technology Village stands the chance to be the Nigerian Silicon Valley, a phenomenal enclave for science, technology, innovation and creativity with massive productivity, competitiveness and job creation as its epicenter.
The idea of collaboration elicited optimistic remarks from the Acting Managing Director, Abuja Technology Village Free Zone Company, Mr. Isa Yusuf Shafeek, who praised the collaboration, calling it timely and vital for Nigeria’s industrial development.
“This partnership is a perfect fit, especially when Nigeria urgently needs to build local production capacity. ATV is ready and committed to working with NASENI on various technology-driven projects,” he said.
Special Adviser on Foreign Partners & Inter-Governmental Affairs to NASENI of EVC, Dr. Dahiru Mohammed, emphasized the importance of the initiative for Nigeria’s human capital development. He noted that establishing factories and attracting technology companies has been a top priority for the new NASENI’s leadership.
“We may even require more space beyond 300 hectares soon due to the high level of interests this partnership is already generating,” Dr. Mohammed remarked, adding that “this collaboration is a bold step toward reducing our dependence on imports and fostering domestic innovation. The NASENI-Abuja Technology Village partnership marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s push for industrialization and technology based economic transformation.”
The Abuja Technology Village (ATV) established in 2009, is a pioneering technology park and Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja. Strategically designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship, Abuja Technology Village provides a unique ecosystem for technology-based businesses to thrive.
ATV’s state-of-the-art infrastructure and conducive environment make it an attractive hub for local and international companies, research institutions, and innovators. The village is focused on key sectors such as Information and Communication Technology, Biotechnology, Minerals Technology, and Energy Technology.
By providing a platform for collaboration, innovation, and growth, Abuja Technology Village aims to drive economic development, create jobs, and position Nigeria as a leader in the global technology landscape.
Nigeria has several technology parks and hubs aimed at fostering innovation and technological advancement including the Abuja Technology Village, Zone Tech Park, and various ICT parks established by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
NASENI and Abuja Technology Village align with these parks to promote government efforts to support startups, research and development, and the overall growth of the digital economy. The Abuja Technology Village is a community where innovators and businesses can collaborate, including emerging companies and established technology giants.
The ATV welcomes shared ideas and innovative enterprises from different institutes and Nigerian universities of technology as well as polytechnics including information and communications technology (ICT) parks established by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) across the country to boost digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development.
The Abuja Technology Village will not only integrate science, innovation, and technology, with a focus on supporting local talents and products but will also serve as a base to empower youth, foster innovation, and drive the development of a $1 trillion technology-driven economy.
The Abuja Technology Village has some similarities with the Alabuga Special Economic zone in Russia, an investment of about $2.5 billion where high quality drones are manufactured for the Russian economy and military. With NASENI’s massive investment drive, Abuja Technology Village can as well boost capacity for high-tech products such as drones and generate income to support the Nigerian gross domestic product (GDP) and earn foreign exchange with its manufactured products.
The Abuja Technology Village with NASENI’s consistent inflow of resources will rejuvenate prudent resource utilization mentorship, and networking opportunities for emerging technology companies thereby promoting digital technology literacy, entrepreneurship, and the development of local tech solutions, for a more diversified and robust economy.
In addition to the Abuja Technology Village, there are numerous technology hubs and co-working spaces across Nigeria, contributing to a vibrant and growing technology ecosystem. Today, NASENI is building a durable system that will boost Nigeria’s science, technology and innovation policies for socio-economic development and stability of the country.
