From Prototypes to Products: Minister of Industry Applauds NASENI’s Commercialization Drive

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, has commended the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) for what she described as its “cutting-edge contributions” to Nigeria’s industrial growth, saying the Agency has moved beyond signing Memorandum of understandings (MOUs) to delivering tangible, 100 per cent made-in-Nigeria products. Speaking during a […]

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, has commended the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) for what she described as its “cutting-edge contributions” to Nigeria’s industrial growth, saying the Agency has moved beyond signing Memorandum of understandings (MOUs) to delivering tangible, 100 per cent made-in-Nigeria products.

Speaking during a working tour alongside NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, to the Abuja Technology Village, Pyakasa, off Airport Road, NASENI-Troment Limited, and other facilities at Abuja Technology Park and NASENI headquarters in Idu Industrial Areas, the minister said she was highly impressed by the speed and scale of transformation within the Agency under two years.

“I have not just seen intents, MOUs, or prospective investment plans. I have seen actual manufacturing in Nigeria, happy investors who are setting the pace not just in the country but in the region and globally,” she said. “This is the type of transformation that has the potential to re-shape Nigeria’s economy.”

The visit was part of a broader effort by the ministry to assess local industrial capacity and identify high-impact projects that can accelerate the Federal Government’s Nigeria First Policy, an agenda focused on boosting domestic production, encouraging local consumption, and creating jobs through industrialisation.

• 7 dead in Damaturu-Maiduguri road crash
• Police recruits allege paying N250,000 for uniforms, boots at Bauchi training school

At each stop, she commended the foresight and commitment of Mr. Halilu in promoting Made-in-Nigeria products. She was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi; the Managing Director, Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority, Dr. Olufemi  Ogunyemi as well as directors of the Ministry and Directors of NASENI to Abuja Technology Village.

The minister recalled that her first interaction with NASENI’s leadership came in October 2023, during an official trip to China with Vice President Kashim Shettima signing several letters of intent and MOUs on behalf of the Agency to attract investments into Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.

“At the time, it was largely about promises and frameworks. What I have seen now is those ideas in action,” she said. “The plans here are big, but importantly, they are backed by actors, timelines, and strong structuring.”

She praised the Agency for balancing its focus on innovation and commercialization with a strong commitment to knowledge sharing. “From young students to professors, NASENI is ensuring that ideas don’t just remain in research papers but are transformed into market-ready products,” she noted.

The EVC of NASENI, Mr. Halilu, echoed this, saying that when he met the minister last year, the agency had only prototypes to showcase. “Today, we have over 40 products that are market-ready. We started with just concepts, and now we are seeing real output,” he said.

During the tour, the minister described NASENI’s model as a “prototype for productivity” that should be replicated nationwide. With 18 facilities already in operation across different states and plans for over 100 more, the agency is positioning itself as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrial infrastructure.

She urged other ministries, state governments, and public institutions to follow federal procurement guidelines that prioritise Nigerian-made products, including those from NASENI.

“The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) already has rules in place requiring government offices to purchase locally made goods where available. We must enforce these rules and support our manufacturers. BPP has also enlisted NASENI products among products available to Nigeria MDAs for purchase,” she said.

The minister also made a personal appeal to Nigerians to adopt a “buy what we produce, produce what we use” mindset. “I make a deliberate effort in my own life to wear Nigerian fabrics, eat Nigerian foods, and promote our products abroad. This is not just patriotism; it is economic responsibility,” she said.

Mr. Halilu explained that domestication, adapting and producing technology locally is at the heart of NASENI’s strategy. “We ensure that our products are designed for the local market in terms of quality and price,” he said. “Whether it is engineering components, energy solutions, or consumer goods, our aim is to compete on both cost and performance.”

He noted that Nigerians have become more willing to embrace locally made products compared to the past. “Look at Nollywood, Nigerian music, fashion, and even our snacks and packaged foods, people are buying them here and abroad,” he said.

The Agency has also invested in innovation hubs where entrepreneurs can refine their ideas and test market acceptance before full-scale production. This, he said, reduces the risk of product failure and increases competitiveness.

The minister stressed that part of the government’s role is to create an environment where both foreign and domestic investors feel secure putting their capital into Nigerian industries.

“Rather than focusing on small disputes or unintended consequences, we are committed to removing barriers for investors. This is what will grow our GDP, create jobs, and help us achieve the $1 trillion economy target set by Mr. President,” she said.

She assured that the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment will continue to work closely with NASENI to support its expansion, address investor needs, and ensure policy alignment across sectors.

The minister tied NASENI’s progress to the Tinubu led administration’s broader economic agenda, which places industrialisation at the core of national development. “This project is under the Presidency for a reason, it represents the importance Mr. President attaches to manufacturing and local content,” she said.

She added that the rapid results seen at NASENI, achieved under two years should serve as proof that Nigeria can move quickly from planning to execution when leadership, policy support, and private sector participation align.

Both the minister and NASENI’s EVC emphasized that the journey is far from over. The Agency plans to scale its operations, establish more production centres, and increase collaboration with state governments and private investors.

“The best is yet to come,” the minister declared. “We will keep pushing for more, because the potential here is extraordinary. We have a responsibility to ensure that every Nigerian benefits from the industrial growth we are witnessing.”

Mr. Halilu said NASENI’s goal is not just to produce for Nigeria but to position the country as a manufacturing hub for Africa. “With continued government support and investor confidence, we can compete globally while meeting our domestic needs,” he said.

The tour ended with a renewed commitment from the ministry to champion NASENI’s work, enforce local content policies, and promote Nigeria-made goods at home and abroad.

The minister said “this is not just about technology; it is about jobs, skills, and pride in what we can achieve as a nation. When we choose to buy Nigerian, we choose to invest in our own future.”