For years, Nigeria has struggled with translating technological innovation into practical applications that benefit everyday life. The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) is working to bridge this gap by connecting technical skills development with access to tools and opportunities for enterprise creation. Under the leadership of Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, NASENI is positioning its interventions to empower Nigerians with sustainable livelihoods.
NASENI's recent interventions in Anambra, Benue, Kano, and Oyo States demonstrate its approach to taking technology and practical skills beyond institutional facilities and into communities. The Agency's programmes, such as the NASENI Skills Acquisition Programme (NSAP) and the NASENI Sustainable Empowerment Programme (NSEP), aim to empower beneficiaries to become employers of labour and achieve economic resilience. The EVC/CEO of NASENI, represented by Engr. Dr. Rasheed Abdullahi Agava, emphasized the objective of these initiatives.
A key aspect of NASENI's skills development interventions is providing beneficiaries with the means to apply what they have learned. In Onitsha, Anambra State, NASENI concluded a five-day skills acquisition programme for 100 youths in modern electrical installation and maintenance. Participants received practical equipment and safety gear, including electrical toolboxes and cordless drilling machines. The Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, commended the initiative and pledged traditional oversight.
In Wannune, Benue State, NASENI combined technical training with household-level economic and clean-energy interventions. The programme trained 100 men in solar installation and 120 women in the production of household essentials such as soap and petroleum jelly. A further 250 beneficiaries received clean-energy solutions, broadening the intervention from skills acquisition to practical support for household productivity.
Dr. Agava noted that the skills acquired by the solar installation trainees placed them in one of the fastest-growing areas of Nigeria's economy. As households, businesses, and public institutions increasingly adopt renewable-energy solutions, NASENI is supporting the development of Nigeria's domestic renewable-energy ecosystem. The Agency believes that Nigeria must progressively build the capacity to produce its own renewable-energy solutions.
NASENI's interventions have been welcomed by traditional leaders and beneficiaries alike. The Agency's approach to skills development and empowerment has shown promising results, with beneficiaries equipped with practical skills and tools to start their own enterprises. By bridging the gap between innovation and practical application, NASENI is contributing to the development of a self-reliant economy in Nigeria.
As NASENI continues to implement its programmes across Nigeria, the Agency is expected to make a significant impact on the country's economic landscape. With a focus on empowering Nigerians with sustainable livelihoods, NASENI is working to create a brighter future for the country's citizens. The Agency's efforts to support the development of Nigeria's domestic renewable-energy ecosystem are also expected to contribute to the country's economic growth and development.
Key points
- NASENI is empowering Nigerians with practical skills and tools for entrepreneurship and economic resilience through its skills acquisition programmes.
- The Agency's interventions have been implemented in Anambra, Benue, Kano, and Oyo States, with a focus on supporting the development of a self-reliant economy.
- NASENI is contributing to the development of Nigeria's domestic renewable-energy ecosystem by supporting the adoption of renewable-energy solutions.
