NASENI told to prioritise Nigeria’s tech needs along agriculture, manufacturing, ICT

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure has been urged to prioritise the technological needs of the country along the line of manufacturing, agriculture, internet communications technology (ICT) and security sectors of the economy.

This is even as the federal government had also been enjoined to consider making NASENI the umbrella body that would chart a technological course for Nigeria in line with the current economic realities, because NASENI holds many potentials for Nigeria’s digital economy and technological take-off if properly harnessed

Again, what NASENI has been able to achieve within a short time of its creation is an indication that Nigeria as a country still has hope, and that Nigeria could also navigate away from analogue to digital economy.

Hope Uzodinma, Imo state governor spoke his mind when he received in audience a team from NASENI led by Mohammed Sani Haruna, a professor and its executive vice chairman, Mohammed Sani Haruna, who paid him a courtesy visit at the government house Owerri. He commended the agency for achieving several feats in the short period of establishment while describing their works “as encouraging and assurance that Nigeria still has hope”.

Saying, “prioritize the technological needs of the nation to capture what is mostly in demand by the nation today especially using technology to fight insecurity”, challenging NASENI to take over some moribund science and technological establishments of the nation and also manage them to produce good results.

Governor Uzodinma assured the team of the state’s support, and promised to raise a five-man team to work with them and chart a road map on the science and technology needs of Imo. He also urged NASENI to ensure that it has sufficient presence in Imo state.

Haruna had earlier showcased the agency’s achievements in the areas of power generation, transport, education and agricultural development to the governor and his aides. He presented a solar powered modular manufacturing plant as well as other solar panel productions.

In a power-point presentation, the executive secretary showed the involvement of NASENI in collaboration with other national and foreign partners in tricycle (Keke) production, helicopter production, computer production and other science equipment and machineries such as tractor repairs, maintenance and refurbishing.

He informed the governor and other top government officials including the deputy governor, Placid Njoku, that they had come to seek partnership with the state government in any science and technology development that will be to the advantage of Imo people.