NASENI Honours Outstanding Staff, Says Workforce Driving Nigeria’s Industrial Transformation
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, has attributed the agency’s remarkable transformation to the dedication, innovation and professionalism of its workforce, describing employees as the driving force behind Nigeria’s growing industrial and technological advancement.
Halilu made the remarks at the 2025 NASENI Staff Motivation and Reward Event held in Abuja, where outstanding employees were honoured for exceptional performance and commitment to the agency’s mandate.
Describing the occasion as more than an awards ceremony, the NASENI boss said it was a celebration of the men and women whose hard work had repositioned the agency as one of Nigeria’s leading innovation-driven institutions.
“Tonight is more than an award ceremony. It is a celebration of the people behind NASENI’s transformation. Behind every innovation, every partnership and every achievement are dedicated staff whose commitment has made our progress possible,” he said.
Although the event was held later than scheduled, Halilu stressed that excellence deserved recognition regardless of timing.
Renewed Hope Agenda Driving Transformation
The NASENI chief said the agency had undergone a fundamental transformation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, evolving into a performance-driven institution anchored on its strategic 3Cs framework—Creation, Collaboration and Commercialisation.
According to him, the strategy has strengthened NASENI’s capacity to develop indigenous technologies, forge strategic partnerships and commercialise innovations that improve the lives of Nigerians.
Highlighting the agency’s achievements in 2025, Halilu disclosed that NASENI had developed more than 44 commercially viable Made-in-Nigeria products, including laptops, smartphones, solar-powered irrigation pumps and electric tricycles.
He also announced that construction was progressing on the 40-hectare NASENI Solar Industrial Park in Gora, Nasarawa State, which he said is expected to become Africa’s largest clean energy manufacturing hub.
Empowering Women, Creating Jobs
Halilu said NASENI’s Developing Engineering Leaders Through Her (DELT-Her) initiative had awarded more than ₦229 million in grants to female engineers to encourage innovation and expand opportunities for women in engineering and technology.
He further revealed that the agency’s Irrigate Nigeria Programme and Agricultural Machinery Institutes had generated more than 30,000 direct and indirect jobs, while its Zero Carbon Project and electric mobility initiatives were supporting Nigeria’s transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy technologies.
The NASENI boss congratulated the award recipients and encouraged employees who were not recognised this year to remain committed, assuring them that every contribution was valued.
Outstanding Staff Honoured
Among the departmental award recipients were Mr. Salisu Mohammed (Finance and Accounts), Engr. Dr. Abayomi Okeshola (Technology Business Development), Shakir Owodunni (Administration and Human Resources), Mr. Asake Michael (Information), Engr. Odii Emmanuel (Manufacturing Services), Engr. Mrs. Ugochi Chimaduruaku (Technical Services), Engr. Aliyu Tahir Ahmed (Environmental Engineering), Mr. Usman Ahmadu (Natural and Physical Sciences), Dr. Mrs. Sherifat Adeleye (Nanoscience), and Miss Anita Egar (Research and Laboratory Services).
Other awardees included Mr. Christopher Okpanachi (Procurement), Mrs. Ahmed Bilkisu (Planning and Policy), Barr. Lilian O. Utaka (Office of the Executive Vice Chairman), and Mr. Abbas Suleiman (Audit).
Special honours were also presented to Mr. Abdullah Mohammed, who emerged as Driver of the Year; Barr. Hussaina Shehu, who received the Overall Staff of the Year Award; and Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, who was voted Staff Choice Award Winner.
The annual Staff Motivation and Reward Event forms part of NASENI’s strategy to recognise excellence, motivate employees and reinforce a culture of innovation, productivity and service delivery as the agency continues to drive Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda.