By Uche Onyeali
National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI, has unveiled its strategic partnership with Abuja Technology Village, ATV, to develop 300 hectares of land dedicated to factories, technology companies and innovation-driven manufacturing plants to boost the national economy.
Speaking at a press briefing yesterday held at Abuja Technology Village, Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Mr Khalil Halilu reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to bring local and foreign partners to transform NASENI’s allotted sites at the Abuja Technology Village from a research-centric institution into a fully-fledged manufacturing agency.
“NASENI will work to attract investments and create job opportunities through this initiative. Our goal is to promote national brands and local production through the Abuja Technology Village. This is just the beginning; more factories will rise and innovation will flourish within the 300 hectares. We are assuring that ATV will not be disappointed.
“We will no longer keep our research on the shelf as prototypes. Today, we are making a clear commitment to turn renewable energy and other innovations into real, market-ready products. This partnership with ATV is a key step in that direction,” he added.
Halilu noted that last year alone, NASENI developed 35 market-viable products and that the collaboration with ATV will help scale those innovations.
He emphasized the mutual benefit of the partnership, citing shared goals such as strategic location, investment incentives and a joint vision for technological advancement of Nigeria and the economy.
In his opening remarks, the Acting Managing Director, Abuja Technology Village Free Zone Company, Mr Isa Shafeek, praised the collaboration, calling it timely and vital for Nigeria’s industrial development.
“This partnership is a perfect fit, especially now that Nigeria urgently needs to build local production capacity. ATV is ready and committed to working with NASENI on various technology-driven projects,” he said.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser on Foreign Partners and Inter-Governmental Affairs to NASENI’s EVC, Dr Dahiru Mohammed, emphasized the importance of the initiative for Nigeria’s human capital development.
He noted that establishing factories and attracting technological companies has been a top priority for NASENI’s leadership.
“We may even require more space beyond 300 hectares soon due to the high interest that this partnership is already generating. This collaboration is a bold step toward reducing our dependence on imports and fostering domestic innovation.”
The NASENI-ATV partnership marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s push for industrialisation and technology based economic transformation.
The Abuja Technology Village, established in 2009, is a pioneering technology park and Special Economic Zone, SEZ, in Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja.
Strategically designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship, ATV provides a unique ecosystem for technology-based businesses to thrive.
Abuja Technology Village’s state-of-the-art infrastructure and conducive environment makes it an attractive hub for local and international companies, research institutions and innovators. The village is focused on key sectors such as Information and Communication Technology, Biotechnology, Minerals Technology, and Energy Technology.
By providing a platform for NASENI’s collaboration, innovation and growth, ATV aims to drive economic development, create jobs, and position Nigeria as a leader in the global technology landscape.
