Minister lauds NASENI’s drive for industrialisation, advocates Made-in-Nigeria products

*Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, commends the transformational strides of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, under the leadership of Khalil Suleiman Halilu, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO, of the agency

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Honourable Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), has commended the transformational strides of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) under the leadership of Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO).

Dr. Oduwole gave the commendation Monday, August 11, 2025, after inspecting NASENI facilities, including the NASENI Innovation Hub, NASENI technology site at the Abuja Technology Village, the NASENI Troment facility and another facility at Abuja Technology Park, Idu Industrial Area respectively.

The Minister’s visit was part of a broader effort at assessing local industrial capacity, and glean the high-impact projects that are accelerating the Federal Government’s “Nigeria First Policy”.

ConsumerConnect reports the Nigeria First Policy initiative is an agenda focused on boosting domestic production, encouraging local consumption, and creating jobs through industrialisation.

Mr. Chima Akwaja, Deputy Director of Information at NASENI, Monday disclosed Dr. Oduwole, at each stop during the tour of the facilities, commended the foresight and commitment of Mr. Halilu in promoting Made-in-Nigeria products in the West African country.

The Minister was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) 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.

Oduwole, in a media chat at the NASENI Headquarters, in Abuja, FCT, said the agency’s EVC/CEO had earlier visited her Ministry and briefed her on the NASENI activities, and he invited her to visit and confirm the success story.

She further stated: “I have come and I have seen many things. What I am seeing today is not in terms of intents, not in terms of MoUs, not in terms of agreement or prospective investors, but I have seen actual 100 per cent made-in-Nigeria products.

“I have seen happy investors. I have seen investors who were pushed to work quickly.

“I have seen investors who are setting the pace in the country, in the region and on the global patterns, loading the way.”

NASENI as well conducted the round the product showroom at Abuja Technology Park, NASENI Troment factory that will be producing world-class drugs including HIV vaccines, etc., and NASENI Innovation Hub and several products delivered by the Agency.

She took a ride alongside the EVC/CEO in NASENI’s anti-ballistic missile amoured vehicle.

The statement noted Dr. Oduwole described the potential in NASENI as a national economic transformation.

She, therefore, commended Halilu for his vision, and appealed to him to keep doing his best, especially on knowledge sharing, inspiration to younger generation as well as to keep the tempo of the agency’s commercialisation drive, which no doubt supports domestic content development.

Speaking during the Minister’s visit to NASENI, Halilu expressed appreciation to Oduwole, the Permanent Secretary and Directors of FMITI for the visit.

Halilu urged stronger collaboration with the Ministry to further boost productivity.

He also appealed to the media to embrace developmental journalism and disclosed that NASENI currently has over 40 market-ready products capable of competing favourably in the global market, with more innovations underway.