Oduwole Visits NASENI, Advocates Use of Made-in-Nigeria Products

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole,  yesterday lauded the  strides made so far by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) under the leadership of Mr. Khalil Halilu.

Oduwole made the commendation 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.

The visit, according to a statement by the Deputy Director, Information, NASENI, Chima Akwaja, was part of efforts by the ministry to assess local industrial capacity and see high-impact projects that are accelerating the federal government’s ‘Nigeria First Policy’, an agenda focused on boosting domestic production, encouraging local consumption, and creating jobs through industrialisation.

The statement quoted the minister as commending the  foresight and commitment of Halilu in promoting Made-in-Nigeria products.

She was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, 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.

Speaking during a chat after the tour at the agency’s headquarters, the minister said Halilu had earlier visited her ministry and briefed her on the activities of the agency, and invited her to tour the agency.

“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, “she added.

During her tour of NASENI facilities, the minister was shown round the NASENI 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 armored vehicle.

Oduwole further described the potential seen in NASENI as a national economic transformation. She commended the EVC for his vision  and appealed to him to keep doing his best, especially on knowledge sharing, inspiration to younger generations  as well as to keep the tempo of the agency’s commercialisation drive, which supports domestic content development.

Earlier in his remarks, Halilu expressed appreciation to the minister, the permanent secretary and directors of the ministry for the visit and called for 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.