How NASENI Motivated Staffers With 2025 Outstanding Excellence Awards

Saturday July 18, 2026 was remarkable in the annals of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) as the Agency rewarded outstanding staff members for exceptional performance, dedication and contributions to the Agency’s transformation agenda at its 2025 Staff Motivation and Reward Night.

The event held in Abuja, the nation’s capital venue of the award night was filled with pomp as the atmosphere was blended with enthusiastic staff of the Agency, often described as the “indefatigable nucleus” in its drive to actualize the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu to improve Nigeria’s industrialization drive.

The event, themed “Celebrating Excellence, Inspiring Commitment,” brought together members of NASENI Management, Acting Managing Directors and Overseeing Officers of the Agency’s Institutes, staff, retired officers and other stakeholders to celebrate individual and collective achievements recorded during the 2025 operational year.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, the man, whose vision and energy have brought good fortunes to the Agency, said the occasion was more than an awards ceremony, describing it as a celebration of the people whose dedication had driven the Agency’s transformation and achievements.

“Although this event comes a little later than planned, excellence never loses its value. Good work deserves recognition whenever it is celebrated, and tonight we are here to honour ourselves, and most importantly, the individuals and teams whose dedication made 2025 one of the most remarkable years in NASENI’s history,” he said.

The EVC/CEO said the progress recorded by NASENI in innovation, manufacturing, clean energy, agriculture and technology was the result of the collective efforts of its workforce, stressing that the Agency’s transformation was anchored on Creation, Collaboration and Commercialisation (3Cs).

He explained that the principles were designed to ensure that NASENI develops technologies that address Nigerian challenges, builds strategic partnerships and moves innovations from laboratories into the marketplace, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

During the event, more than 44 commercially viable Made-in-Nigeria products that emerged from NASENI’s massive investment were also recognized. These cover areas including laptops, smartphones, solar irrigation pumps, electric tricycles and other technologies designed to improve productivity and reduce dependence on imports.

Also highlighted were the construction of the 40-hectare NASENI Solar Industrial Park in Gora, Karu LGA of Nasarawa State, the DELT-Her initiative, which has provided more than N229 million in grants to female engineers, and the Irrigate Nigeria Programme and Agricultural Machinery Institutes, which have supported the creation of more than 30,000 direct and indirect jobs.

According to Halilu, NASENI’s Zero Carbon Project and electric mobility initiatives further demonstrate that industrialisation and environmental sustainability can advance together, adding that the Agency would continue to strengthen local manufacturing, expand technology commercialisation, establish an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Unit and develop competitive Made-in- Nigeria alternatives to imported technologies.

The excited NASENI boss said that the awards depict intentional efforts; purpose and dedication of the recipients even as he charged them to regard the recognition as both an honour and a responsibility. He also tasked them to sustain the standards that earned them the awards.

“To our award recipients, congratulations, you have demonstrated professionalism, discipline, innovation and commitment. Wear these awards with pride, but also with responsibility. Excellence is not a destination; it is a standard that must be sustained,” he said.

The EVC assured staff that Management would continue to invest in capacity development, strengthen staff welfare, promote merit, reward performance, and create opportunities for professional growth. He also paid tribute to retired and long-serving officers of the Agency, acknowledging their contributions to the foundation and development of NASENI, while commending the Planning Committee, led by Dr Mrs. Nonye Onyechi, for its dedication and professionalism in organising the event.

The event culminated in the presentation of awards to outstanding staff across various departments and operational areas. Barrister Hussaina Shehu emerged as the Overall Best Staff of the Year, while the Staff Choice Award was presented to the EVC/CEO, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, in recognition of his leadership and contributions to the transformation of NASENI.

Best Staff of the year winners from each department are: Finance & Accounts, Mr. Salisu Mohammed; Technology Business Development, Engr. Dr. Abayomi Okeshola; Admin & HR, Shakir Owodunni; Information, Mr.  Asake Michael; Manufacturing Services, Engr. Odii Emmanuel; and Technical Services, Engr. Mrs. Ugochi Chimaduruaku.

Others are: Environmental Engineering, Engr. Aliyu Tahir Ahmed; Natural & Physical Science, Mr. Usman Ahmadu; Nano Science, Dr. Mrs. Sherifat Adeleye; Research & Laboratory, Miss. Anita Egar. The rest include:  Procurement- Mr. Christopher Okpanachi; Planning & Policy, Mrs. Ahmed Bilkisu; EVC’s Office, Barr. Lilian O. Utaka; Audit, Mr. Abbas Suleiman; and Driver of the year, Mr. Abdullah Mohammed.

In her vote of thanks, the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Onyechi, expressed appreciation to the EVC for approving the event and for his commitment to recognising excellence within the Agency. She said the event demonstrated the importance attached to appreciating the hard work, dedication and resilience of NASENI staff.

“To every NASENI staff member, please note that the night is for you. Whether you received an award or not, your dedication, hard work and resilience are the foundation of this Agency. You are seen, you are valued, and you are appreciated,” she said.

Onyechi congratulated the award recipients and urged them to see the recognition as a motivation to improve their performance, stressing that greater recognition comes with greater responsibility. “Please remember, the award for hard work is more work. So, keep pushing, keep improving and keep shining,” she said, adding that the event was not only about awards but also about celebrating the unity, strength and collective achievements of the NASENI family.

Reacting to her recognition as the Overall Best Staff of the Year, Barrister Hussaina Shehu described the award as a pleasant surprise and expressed appreciation to Management for allowing her to contribute to the Agency’s mandate. She described NASENI’s performance over the last three years as “exceptional” and urged other staff members to remain committed and put in their best, saying, “I just want to advise all the other staff to put in their best so that they will be recognised like this also.”

The 2025 Staff Motivation and Reward Night reaffirmed NASENI’s commitment to promoting a culture of excellence, recognising outstanding performance and inspiring its workforce to advance home-grown science, technology and engineering solutions for national development.

And from the Good Vibes Team at NASENI led by its chairperson, Grace Magaji, the message of appreciation was apt as they were gratified to recognize three outstanding staff members who have, in their own unique ways, moved the needle at NASENI Headquarters this year.

The recipients from the Good Vibes Team include:  Mr. Ibrahim Hassan, Senior Motor Mechanic; Mrs. Adebimpe Mary Akirinlade, Chief Administrative Officer/ Head of Registry; and Engr. Alhassan Isa Usman, Director, Maintenance. The Good Vibes team described awardees in glowing terms saying that Mr. Ibrahim Hassan has unmatched skill and safety, earning his place as one of the finest drivers in the entire fleet.

Mrs. Adebimpe Mary Akirinlade was described as ever accessible, ever reliable, as she has redefined administrative efficiency, proving that no call from any staff member, at any hour, goes unanswered or unattended. For Engr. Alhassan Isa Usman the group said that under his watch, there has been a remarkable transformation in general maintenance operations, with visible improvements that speak to his dedication and technical depth.

“Together, these three individuals remind us that excellence at NASENI is not confined to job titles, it is found in the driver who navigates with care, the administrator who responds with speed, and the engineer who builds with precision. “They are the heartbeat of our daily operations, and we are grateful for their service. Please join us in celebrating Mr. Hassan, Mrs. Akirinlade, and Engr. Usman who are truly deserving of this recognition!” the group said.

Combined with expanding investments in manufacturing, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, agricultural mechanisation and technology commercialisation, NASENI appears determined to position itself as a catalyst for Nigeria’s industrial renaissance. Ultimately, the greatest achievement of the evening may not have been the awards presented or the applause that filled the hall. Rather, it was the reaffirmation of a simple but powerful truth: that national transformation begins by recognising, motivating and empowering the people who make it possible.