The Executive Vice Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr. Khalil Halilu, has said Nigeria is experiencing a new era of technology transfer and industrial innovation under the incumbent administration, with more than 1,000 applications from global companies recorded in just one year.
Halilu, who spoke during President Tinubu’s interactive session with Nigerians in Japan on the sidelines of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) last week, noted that the administration’s reforms are rapidly reshaping NASENI from a purely research institution into a driver of industrial growth.
According to him, the President’s accelerated Technology Transfer Programme has already attracted $2 billion in commitments while also making it easier for foreign firms and Nigerian innovators to apply through a seamless online platform.
“We have moved from being a research and development agency with only prototypes on the shelf to an implementing agency with 40 market-ready products,” Halilu said.
He disclosed that NASENI recently sealed a strategic deal with a Japanese firm in the field of nanotechnology, a partnership that will see the establishment of four factories in Nigeria. Halilu expressed confidence that the venture will open the door for more Japanese companies to take advantage of the country’s investment-friendly environment.
The NASENI chief also listed ongoing projects, including a 40-hectare renewable industrial park, an electric vehicle assembly plant, and other high-tech initiatives aimed at spurring industrialisation, fostering innovation, and creating new jobs for Nigerians.
He credited these gains to President Tinubu’s policies, which, according to him, “have opened Nigeria’s doors to diasporans and foreign investors eager to partner with the country in critical sectors.”
Reassuring investors of government backing, Halilu stressed that Nigeria is committed to creating a conducive environment for technology transfer and sustainable industrial development.
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