Minister of Science and Technology, Hon. Geoffrey Nnaji, has laid the foundation for the Sustainable and Emerging Technologies Institute (SETI) donated to the Bayero University, Kano by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony at the BUK new site yesterday, Hon. Nnaji said the institute would serve as a hub for research, capacity building and partnership to ensure that Nigeria moves at the forefront of advancing technology, sustainability and development in areas such as renewable energy, artificial intelligence and biotechnology.
He said the initiative aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in the areas of economic diversification, industrialisation and job creation which would lay a foundation for a future that is self-sufficient, technologically competitive and environmentally sustainable.
In his remarks, NASENI’s executive vice chairman, Mr. Khalil Suleiman, said the donation was in line with the agency’s operating principles of collaboration, creation and commercialisation to ensure the industrialisation of Nigeria.
He highlighted that SETI was sited on 30 hectares of land, and would feature state-of-the-art facilities, including innovation hubs (devoted to Artificial Intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies), complemented by reliable power supply which NASENI would fully build, equip and support.
“There is also, in addition to SETI, a second NASENI project for BUK, an agri-preneurship training hub that will be equipped with modern greenhouses, and facilities for soil-less farming and tissue culture, occupying 10 hectares of land at the old campus,” he said.
While emphasing that SETI would produce innovators, technologists, entrepreneurs who would make their mark not just in Nigeria, Mr. Suleiman noted that the projects aim at building capacity, advancing industrialisation, supporting economic growth and prosperity in the country.
He therefore urged the university community to immediately take ownership of the project, and provide all the needed support to ensure it speedy completion.
In his remarks, BUK vice chancellor, Prof Sagir Adamu, pointed out that the establishment of the institute was a bold step towards positioning Kano and Nigeria at the forefront of innovation, industrialisation and human capital development.
He commended NASENI and the minister for the initiative and noted that the institution remained committed to partnership for knowledge and exchange and would also ensure the success and sustainability of the initiative.
