President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has disclosed that he is pleased with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI)’s collaborative approach under Khalil Suleiman Halilu to deliver his administration’s industrialisation reform agenda in the country.
A statement issued by NASENI’s Director of Information Olusegun Ayeoyenikan said Tinubu, who was represented by the president of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, made the disclosure at the commissioning of the NASENI-Portland Reverse Engineering Centre in FCT’s transportation hub, Utako.
He added that Khalil Halilu’s appointment in the early days of his administration was the first step towards achieving his grand vision for Nigeria’s industrialisation.
“When I assumed office as President a year ago, I highlighted the mission of our administration to ‘promote domestic manufacturing and lessen import dependency.’ I made this vow fully aware of the boundless potential that our country has to become a continental and global industrial and manufacturing giant,” the President said.
As the governing board chairman of NASENI, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu mentioned that the agency is central to the realisation of his administration’s renewed hope agenda, positioning it to drive the Federal Government of Nigeria’s science, engineering, and industrial efforts.
“For me, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) is a central player in the achievement of that grand vision for Nigeria’s industrialisation. That is why it was one of the first agencies of the Federal Government where we put in place a new management team, last year. I appointed Khalil Halilu – the young man with the beard, as I call him-as the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, to spearhead our reform agenda for the agency. I must say I am pleased with the results so far.”
Tinubu further disclosed that NASENI, the leading National brand, is moving from research-based to delivering commercially viable products.
“I am aware that NASENI, under Halilu’s leadership, has prioritised moving from research and development of prototypes into delivering commercially available products that will serve consumers in their homes, offices, industries and farms.
“I am convinced that if we get it right with NASENI, we will get Nigeria’s industrialisation right. This is the Federal agency that has the mandate and the positioning to drive the science, engineering, and industrial efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
The president said he would continue to provide oversight and leadership for NASENI’s Strategic Launchpad aspirations and pledged FG’s transformation of the agency into a model of public sector excellence and public-private partnership for the country’s development.
