In a significant move toward national socio-economic development trajectory, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has embarked on a transformative journey to reshape Nigeria’s technological and industrial landscape for better productivity and economic development.
This intervention was recently visible in the groundbreaking ceremony of the Agency’s Sustainable and Emerging Technologies Institute (SETI) located at New Campus of Bayero University Kano (BUK), which stands as a beacon of progress, promising innovation, economic growth and move toward accelerated industrialization.
The idea behind the construction of SETI by the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, was borne out of the Agency’s 3Cs principles of Collaboration, Creation and Commercialization, designed to drive industrialization in Nigeria and align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Suffice to say, therefore, that the establishment of SETI is a clear manifestation of this vision aimed at nurturing young Nigerian talents in science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. This gigantic Institute, according to the survey and architectural analysis, is sitting on 30-hectare land at the new campus of BUK.
The Sustainable and Emerging Technologies Institute (SETI) will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including an innovation hub dedicated to Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics and other emerging technologies. The institute will enable Nigerian students and researchers to have access to cutting-edge resources and tools needed for a sustainable environment for innovation.
In addition to SETI, a second NASENI project that will be situated at the Old Campus of Bayero University Kano, is an Agri-preneurship Training Hub that will be equipped with modern greenhouses, facilities for Soilless Farming, and Tissue Culture. This Agri-preneurship Training Hub will occupy 10 hectares of land.
These projects collectively represent what NASENI stands for, that is, building capacity, advancing industrialization, supporting economic growth, diversification and prosperity. Through these additional platforms for technological research and commercialization by NASENI, it is expected they would contribute to employment generation, drive economic growth, and enhance Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
The direct involvement of the Nigerian government, through agencies like NASENI and key stakeholders like the National Assembly and the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, further reinforces the commitment to fostering sustainable economic development.
As constructions begin on these projects, the University community and the government of Kano State are urged to take ownership and support their successful completion. The full realization of these interventions will not only elevate BUK as a global innovation hub, but also position Kano State and Nigeria at the forefront of technological advancement.
There is no doubt that SETI and Agri-preneurship Training Hub mark the beginning of a new era in Nigeria’s industrial and technological trajectory. The first cohort of graduates from this Institute will undoubtedly contribute significantly to global innovation, reinforcing Nigeria’s status as a leader in science and technology.
With a population estimated at 216 million people, of which 42.45 per cent are below the age of 15 years, these budding youths can be educated and equipped with knowledge and skills to rule the world in the field of science, technology and innovation (STI) and entrepreneurship.
Another innovative project which NASENI is championing currently is Soilless Farming, also known as Hydroponic farming at the Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (AMEDI) Lafia, Nasarawa State. AMEDI is a division of NASENI with the mandate to make available the technology, machines and equipment required to solve agricultural and agro-allied technological challenges in the North Central states of Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
NASENI’s Soilless Farming is taking the north-central geo-political zone by storm. Soilless Farming involves usage of Mapal Trough to produce crops such as Bell Pepper, Tomatoes and Cucumber; Grow Bag to produce Bell Pepper, Tomatoes, Carrot and Spring Onion, etc. This is a modern Aeroponics system that runs on a 24- hour solar system.
For NASENI Multiplan Greenhouse, one of the best in Africa, it has a wet wall fitted for continuous cooling regardless of the temperature of the environment where the greenhouses are stationed. The project boasts of sophisticated Irrigation systems that supply unlimited flow of clean underground water to the plants through Drip Irrigation to ensure optimum growth in line with global Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).
Daily, this NASENI’s AMEDI sophisticated greenhouse facilities produces 250kgTomatoe, 80kg Cucumber, 100kg Bell Pepper, 50kg Habanero Pepper, 50kg Lettuce, 10kg carrot and Spring Onion.
As NASENI continues to push the boundaries of science, technology and innovation, the country stands at a defining moment. With a rapidly growing youth population and a shifting global economy, the Innovation Hubs, Institutes and companies emerging from NASENI will shape the nation’s industrialization trajectory for several decades to come.
For over three decades, NASENI has been committed to a unique and enduring mission: to establish and nurture an appropriate and dynamic Science and Engineering Infrastructure-base for achieving home-initiated and home-sustained industrialization through the development of relevant processes, capital goods, and equipment necessary for job creation, national economic well-being, and progress.
As things stand, innovation and entrepreneurship will continue to provide a clear pathway to national development, offering a bridge from economic struggle to prosperity. Nigeria has the talent, the ideas and the ambition. With the right policies and sustained commitment from agencies like NASENI, the country will unlock its full economic potential and establish itself as a powerhouse of innovation in Africa and beyond.
It is significant to note that Halilu, the NASENI boss, has brought enormous vitality to the pursuit of these noble dreams and his foresight has energized the workforce of the agency for this purpose.
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