Industrial Growth At The Heart Of NASENI’s 2026 Agenda

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) is in a prime position to conclude existing projects and programmes as well as launch new initiatives to put the Agency on a strong pedestal to make outstanding achievements set out for 2026.

The last two years of distinguished leadership of the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC /CEO) of NASENI, Khalil Suleiman Halilu has been splendid in terms of the diverse achievements in record time. These have become a massive plus to the nation and to the admiration of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in expanding the goals of Nigeria’s industrialization and its systematic welfare package, innovation drive and institutional growth.

At the heart of the successes of these laudable projects and programmes are very energetic, highly motivated, well-equipped and professionally-minded staff members, who have in recent times, displayed unrivalled commitment, dedication to duty and patriotism.

It is therefore, apt to appreciate the resolve of the EVC/CEO and his Management team to prioritize innovation, staff welfare, and institutional growth in 2026, which is a strategic and managerial fulcrum to achieve more in 2026. This was the crux of the recent NASENI’s Townhall Meeting   where the Management praised the staff, listed achievements for 2025 and unveiled the 2026 targets.

During the Townhall meeting held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, EVC Halilu commended staff of the Agency for their dedication, resilience, and commitment to work while reaffirming Management’s resolve to prioritize innovation, staff welfare, and institutional growth.

According to the NASENI boss,  the  hardwork and contributions to the Agency’s expanding impacts across key sectors of the Nigerian economy have been enormous and judging by their  principled position, members of staff where invited to freely express concerns where necessary, offer constructive feedback and proactively identify potential challenges before they escalate.

The EVC said, “Effective problem-solving requires foresight, collaboration, and a shared sense of responsibility at all levels of governance and administration, acknowledging the complexities of leadership and decision-making.”

He noted that taking responsibility for difficult choices is essential to driving institutional progress and, therefore, urged staff to contribute positively with sincerity in their daily duties to strengthen teamwork and improve service delivery.

Looking ahead, Mr. Halilu outlined plans to deepen the commercialization of research outputs in 2026, strengthen industry linkages, and intensify staff capacity development under the theme “Get Involved.”

He reiterated his commitment to building a robust innovation ecosystem capable of delivering practical solutions and driving sustainable economic growth in the country.

The EVC/CEO further announced new initiatives, including the provision of greenhouses to all NASENI institutes similar to the facility at the Agriculture Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (AMEDI), Lafia, and the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Unit at NASENI Headquarters, among several projects in the pipeline, aimed at expanding the Agency’s impact nationwide.

Contributing during the interactive session, Coordinating Directors, Special Assistants to the EVC, Research Directors, Heads of Departments, union leaders and staff highlighted NASENI’s notable achievements under the current leadership, citing successes in innovation, digital integration, technology  transfer agreements, agriculture, renewable energy, and job creation projects  impacts in various sectors.

At the Townhall Meeting, participants noted that these efforts have positioned NASENI as an emerging hub for technological advancement and industrial innovation in Nigeria. The meeting concluded on a high note of songs of solidarity by union staff, signifying collective support for Halilu’s leadership policies, projects and programmes towards achieving technological advancement of the nation.

One of the most significant initiatives of the Agency in 2026 includes the well-thought out Inter-Agency Innovation Competition and Awards wherein NASENI has earmarked a whopping N140 million to benefit the participants. The aim is to sustain the efforts at promoting indigenous technology and innovation as a strategic means of reducing excessive importation and strengthening local content development.

In 2026, NASENI said it will strengthen Nigeria’s position by increasing investment in projects and programmes that will make more impacts on Nigerian economy and the consolidation agenda also included numerous initiatives that the Agency started in the last quarter of 2025, which it is committed to finalizing in 2026.

Looking ahead, NASENI’s Drone Assembly and manufacturing facility is a vital focus this year.  This project in collaboration with  Caverton Group is sure to be commissioned in 2026 as work is in the final phase.

The Industrial Equipment and Machinery Development Institute (EMDI) in Maiduguri, Borno State is another project initiated by the Agency to develop indigenous solutions for Nigeria’s industrialization to add value to the economy to boost job creation through asset restoration and local production.

The project will be completed and commissioned in 2026 and it will boost self-reliance by developing indigenous technologies and engineering practices as well as support infrastructure, manufacturing and job creation in regions like Borno State.

The NASENI’s Renewable Energy Park in Gora; Nasarawa State, Nigeria’s first-ever Solar Industrial Park and a solar cell production plant, when  completed will be commissioned in 2026 to boost local manufacturing of solar components, reduce dependence on imports, and improve the nation’s energy security.

NASENI will also in 2026 complete and commission the Sustainable and Emerging Technologies Institute (SETI) at Bayero University, Kano (BUK) to nurture innovation in AI, green tech, and industrialization.

NASENI is also establishing Skill Acquisition Centres across Nigeria to train youths in technical skills and make them useful   by becoming employed and in 2026, these efforts will be enhanced with funding and possibly start-up assistance for Nigerian youth to establish and grow their own businesses.

Some of the Centres where ongoing projects are going to be completed will speed up skills in auto-mechanics, solar installation, tailoring, and more.  Centers are located in Nasarawa (Agwada, Keffi), Kaduna (Gwantu), Kebbi (Bagudo, Birnin-Kebbi), Katsina, Benue (Gboko, Wannune), Oyo (Ife), Borno (Maiduguri), Imo (Aboh-Mbaise), Cross River (Obudu), and Yobe, aims to foster job creation, self-reliance and industrial development nationwide.

There are other programmes such as NASENI Research Commercialization Grant Programme (NRCGP) billed to fund innovative, market-viable research from universities and institutions, turning novel ideas into commercial products.

It is also apt to mention the Engineering Materials and Equipment Development Institute in Katsina, Katsina State and The Agricultural and Machinery Equipment Development Institute in Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State.

Others include the Agricultural and Machinery Equipment Development Institute, (AMEDI) Aboh-Mbaise, Imo State and The Agricultural and Machinery Equipment Development Institute (AMEDI) Cross River State. All these will be completed and commissioned this year.

It is also important to mention that projects such as the  Delta-2 Projects; the Developing Engineering Leaders through Her (DELT-Her and FutureMakers,   among others  will exploit talents of Nigerian youths and improve the capacity of women in engineering and other aspects.

Indeed, 2026 will be a year of great experience as the Agency  champions a new Nigeria that is moving towards its goal of industrializing the country and commercializing its products in the global markets.