Building Technology-Driven Economy: NASENI’s Impacts Under Halilu in Three Years

As nations race to reposition themselves within a rapidly changing global economy, the defining factor of competitiveness is no longer the abundance of natural resources but the capacity to create, adapt and commercialise technology innovations. Across the world, economic power is increasingly concentrated in countries that have successfully transitioned from resource-dependent systems to knowledge-driven economies built on innovation, advanced manufacturing, digitalization and research. For Nigeria, the challenge has always been how to convert its enormous human and natural resources into industrial and technological capabilities that can sustain economic growth, create jobs and strengthen national competitiveness. At the centre of this conversation is the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), an institution established to develop Nigeria’s science, technology and engineering infrastructure necessary for home-grown industrialisation. Under the leadership of its current Chief Executive, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, the Agency has pursued an ambitious transformation agenda aimed at positioning technology as a major pillar of Nigeria’s economic future. Nigeria’s quest for economic diversification has therefore become inseparable from the pursuit of technological capability. The country’s long-standing dependence on crude oil revenues has repeatedly exposed the economy to global market volatility, making industrialisation and innovation-driven growth more urgent than ever. It is against this backdrop that NASENI’s current direction has attracted growing attention. The Agency’s renewed strategy reflects an understanding that technology transfer, local manufacturing and innovation commercialisation are essential ingredients for building a resilient economy capable of competing regionally and globally. According to NASENI, its vision is centred on “Fuelling Nigeria’s innovation for a sustainable future,” while its mission is to drive indigenous industrialisation, job creation and national development through science and engineering infrastructure. Since assuming office in September 2023, Halilu has consistently articulated a vision that seeks to move NASENI beyond research laboratories into the marketplace. The emphasis has been on ensuring that innovations do not remain prototypes on shelves but become commercially viable products capable of solving real economic challenges. Speaking on the agency’s transformation agenda, Halilu stated that his vision is to make NASENI “the number one innovation and technology transfer agency in the country.” Reflecting on his third year in office, he said, “It is a case of promise made and kept.” One of the defining features of NASENI’s recent activities has been its focus on priority technology sectors with strong economic multiplier effects. According to the Agency, these sectors include renewable energy, agriculture and food processing, transportation, healthcare technologies, information technology, manufacturing and construction-related innovations. The choice of these sectors reflects both national development priorities and emerging global opportunities. Renewable energy, for instance, is increasingly becoming a strategic industry as countries seek cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. By investing in renewable energy technologies and related manufacturing ecosystems, Nigeria can simultaneously address energy access challenges while creating new industrial opportunities. Similarly, technology-driven agricultural solutions hold significant potential for improving productivity, reducing post-harvest losses and strengthening food security. The integration of engineering innovations into agricultural value chains can help modernise one of Nigeria’s largest economic sectors while generating employment opportunities for millions of people. Transportation and mobility technologies have also emerged as important areas of focus. Across Africa, the shift toward electric mobility and clean transportation is gaining momentum, creating opportunities for countries capable of developing local manufacturing ecosystems around emerging technologies. The broader significance of these interventions lies in their potential to strengthen domestic production capabilities. For decades, Nigeria has relied heavily on imported industrial equipment, machinery and consumer products. This dependence has contributed to pressure on foreign exchange reserves and limited the growth of local manufacturing. NASENI’s strategic framework seeks to reverse this trend by encouraging technology domestication and local production. According to the Agency, one of its major objectives is to reduce import expenditure through local innovation while creating commercially viable products and technologies that can compete in the marketplace. Advanced manufacturing occupies a central position within this vision. Around the world, manufacturing is undergoing a transformation driven by automation, digital technologies, data analytics and intelligent production systems. Countries seeking long-term industrial competitiveness are investing heavily in advanced manufacturing capabilities that combine engineering excellence with digital innovation. NASENI’s renewed focus on manufacturing reflects an appreciation of this reality. The Agency’s mandate includes capital goods research, engineering equipment development, engineering materials, standardisation and reverse engineering. These functions are critical components of any industrial ecosystem capable of supporting sustainable economic growth. Digitalization is equally important. Modern manufacturing increasingly depends on digital technologies that improve efficiency, reduce production costs and enhance product quality. The convergence of digital tools and industrial production is creating new possibilities for countries willing to embrace technological change. In recent years, policymakers, industry experts and development practitioners have repeatedly emphasised the importance of integrating digital technologies into industrial policy. NASENI’s approach reflects this trend by encouraging innovation ecosystems that connect research institutions, manufacturers, entrepreneurs and technology developers. Beyond infrastructure and manufacturing, the Agency’s interventions also highlight the importance of human capital in a knowledge economy. Knowledge-driven growth depends not only on machines and facilities but also on skilled individuals capable of creating, adapting and managing technology. This explains the increasing attention being given to innovation programmes, research commercialisation initiatives and youth-focused technology projects. Programmes such as Delta-2 Projects, DELT-Her, She-Fly, Innovate Naija and FutureMakers have sought to encourage innovation, strengthen entrepreneurship and expand participation in technology-related fields. According to reports highlighting NASENI’s achievements, these initiatives have contributed to growing interest in science, technology and innovation across different demography. NASENI’s emphasis on technology transfer directly addresses a challenge that has long affected many developing economies: the inability to convert research outcomes into commercial products and productive industries. The Agency’s strategy seeks to close this gap by creating pathways through which innovations can move from laboratories into factories and eventually into domestic and international markets. This collaborative approach is evident in NASENI’s increasing reliance on public-private partnerships. The Agency has consistently promoted collaboration with local and international partners as a means of accelerating technology transfer, boosting manufacturing capacity and commercialising innovation. As Africa’s largest economy seeks to strengthen its regional position, technological self-reliance is likely to become even more important. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is creating a larger market in which countries will compete not only on the basis of resources but also on the sophistication of their industries and technologies. For Nigeria, regional competitiveness will increasingly depend on the ability to manufacture, innovate and export value-added products. Institutions such as NASENI therefore occupy a strategic position within the country’s long-term economic aspirations. The Agency’s Strategic Launchpad outlines ambitious targets, including reducing import dependence, creating jobs, increasing exports and strengthening industrial productivity through technology transfer and innovation-driven growth. While achieving these goals will require sustained commitment and investment, the framework provides a clear indication of the direction in which the institution intends to move. Ultimately, the significance of NASENI’s work under Halilu extends beyond individual projects or programmes. It reflects a broader effort to reposition technology, engineering and innovation at the centre of Nigeria’s development strategy. In an era defined by knowledge economies, digital transformation and advanced manufacturing, nations that fail to invest in technological capability risk being left behind. For Nigeria, the challenge is not merely to participate in the global technology revolution but to become an active contributor to it. The vision driving NASENI today is anchored on that possibility: a future in which Nigerian innovation powers local industries, strengthens regional competitiveness, reduces dependence on imports and creates new opportunities for economic prosperity. If sustained over the long term, that vision could become one of the most consequential pillars of Nigeria’s journey toward a technology-driven economy.