NASENI, The Gambia  Cooperate To Boost Technology, Skills Development

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has commenced moves to deepen technology development, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), research, innovation, skills development and technology commercialisation cooperation with the Republic of The Gambia, with both sides agreeing to develop a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the deputy director at NASENI Chima Akwaja, stressing that

this development followed a high-level experiential learning visit by the Gambian Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Professor Pierre Gomez, and his delegation to NASENI headquarters in Abuja, during which the agency showcased its technology ecosystem, research capabilities and network of specialised institutes.

The Gambian delegation, which had earlier visited selected NASENI facilities, including the Centre of Excellence and NASENI Solar Energy Limited (NSEL), among others, was briefed on the agency’s interventions across renewable energy, agricultural mechanisation, electronics, power systems, advanced manufacturing, scientific equipment, aeronautics, solid minerals, machine tools, drone technology and other emerging areas.

Representing the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, the Director, Technology Business Development and Special Adviser on General Matters to the EVC/CEO, Engr. Ozigi O. Bernard, said the Agency was positioned to serve as a technology development, transfer and commercialization platform for Nigeria and other African countries seeking to build indigenous technological capacity.

Engr. Bernard explained that NASENI operates through a network of specialised Development Institutes providing an integrated platform for research and development, prototyping, testing, manufacturing, technical training, technology transfer and commercialization.  He added that the agency’s strategic direction was anchored on the principle of 3Cs- Creation, Collaboration and Commercialization with increasing emphasis on taking research outputs beyond laboratories and prototypes into the marketplace.

According to him, NASENI had identified several areas with strong potential for cooperation with The Gambia, including renewable energy and solar photovoltaic systems, power electronics, embedded systems, industrial automation, agricultural engineering, advanced manufacturing, scientific equipment, materials development, aeronautics, drone technology, solid minerals processing and technical skills development.

He further disclosed that NASENI had strengthened its partnerships with universities, polytechnics, research institutions and indigenous private-sector companies, enabling the agency to support curriculum development, technical training, certification, joint research, technology development and the commercialization of locally developed technologies.

He added that the agency’s commercialization drive had recorded significant progress since the assumption of office of the EVC/CEO in 2023.

Earlier, Prof. Pierre Gomez said The Gambia was seeking to transform its higher education and TVET ecosystem through practical learning, institutional partnerships and stronger African cooperation. He said the delegation came to Nigeria to learn from NASENI’s practical approach to research, development, manufacturing and technology transfer with the intention of adapting relevant models to The Gambia.

Other members of NASENI team at the meeting include Acting Managing Director, Solid Minerals Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (SOMMEDI), Professor Ikyo Barnabas Achakpa; Overseeing Officer, Scientific Equipment Development Institute (SEDI), Minna, Dr. Mahmoud Jafar; Coordinator Implementation Management Office (IMO) and Special Adviser on Institutional Reforms, Mr. Yusuf Kasheem and others.