…Revitalize technological capacities to boost economy
By Cyril Ogar
National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure ,NASENI, has unveiled its strategic partnership with the 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.
Indications to this development emerged when the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NASENI Khalil Suleiman Halilu visited the ATV where he reiterated the agency’s determination to collaborate with local and foreign partners to transform sites allotted to NASENI at ATV from a research-centric institution into a fully-fledged manufacturing agency.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the office of Abuja Technology Village, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to come with local and foreign partners to transform NASENI 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”, said the EVC.
“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.
Smart cities all over the world leverage on technology to drive progress, enhance quality of life, and foster innovation while promoting sustainable development. They use digital solutions for efficient services, environmental initiatives, and strategic urban planning.
Halilu highlighted 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 benefits 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 Yusuf Shafeek, praised the collaboration, calling it timely and vital for Nigeria’s industrial development.
“This partnership is a perfect fit, especially when 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 at the event, Dr. Dahiru Mohammed, Special Adviser on Foreign Partners & Inter-Governmental Affairs to NASENI EVC, emphasized the importance of the initiative for Nigeria’s human capital development. He noted that establishing factories and attracting tech companies has been a top priority for new NASENI’s leadership.
“We may even require more space beyond 300 hectares soon due to the high level of interests this partnership is already generating”, Dr. Mohammed remarked. “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.
Conceived as Abuja Tech Village ,ATV, under former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, Abuja Tech City is envisioned as a smart and environmentally conscious metropolis that will play host to tech startups, industries, and entertainment ventures. Additionally, it is designed as a Free Trade Zone, aligning with global trends and bolstering Nigeria’s burgeoning tech ecosystem.
“Tech Cities are the catalysts for rapid industrialization and enhancement of operational synergy within critical sectors.
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 the statement added.
