PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, stated that a key legacy his administration would leave for the succeeding administration in 2023 is the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).
The president spoke yesterday in Abuja during the inauguration of the President Muhammadu Buhari Technology and Innovation Complex at NASENI Headquarters, Idu Industrial Zone.
He stated that the agency was being repositioned under his leadership to become a magnet for technology and innovation for national growth.
This is one pivotal legacy of this administration. With this complex and available facility, the future of our national competitiveness among global economies is promising. We are sure that these advanced Science and Engineering Core facilities will assist our nation in the attainment of Africa Union’s 2063 Agenda and United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, 2030,” he said.
Buhari, who decried that many challenges were militating against NASENI and preventing the agency from achieving her full potential over the years, assured of his administration’s determination to reverse the trend.
“Under my chairmanship, NASENI is undergoing a reinvention and transformation to become a Technology and Innovation Hub for our national development.
“Consequently, we have strategically repositioned NASENI to develop local capacity in machine building and fabrication, which is critical to Nigeria’s industrial development.”
The president, who was impressed with the great strides the agency had made under this administration, said NASENI had started domesticating foreign technologies and product development through backward integration.
“The recent attraction of 250 Czeck Koruna or $10.5 million research and development grant to Nigeria is evidence that our transformation is achieving results in building a competitive agency.”
In a statement released by his spokesperson, Femi Adesina, the president also lauded Prof. Mohammad Sani Haruna, Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, for his outstanding leadership, dynamism, and insight in furthering the agency’s mission.
At the final Federal Executive Council in December 2022, he directed that he be given the Excellence Service Award and the national honor of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic.
In his welcome speech, the executive vice chairman noted that this was the first time a Nigerian president has visited the agency and commended the president for his dedication to putting Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) at the forefront of Nigeria’s socioeconomic activities.
He told the president that the organization was committed to helping the nation overcome its development issues.
