- NASENI plans to convert millions of Nigerian vehicles to electric and CNG alternatives as part of a broader initiative to promote industrialisation and cleaner energy.
- The agency’s advancements include a lithium-ion battery factory and a tractor refurbishment program to enhance agricultural productivity and reduce poverty.
Nigeria’s National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has announced ambitious plans to convert millions of vehicles from petrol and diesel to cleaner electric and compressed natural gas (CNG) alternatives. The agency is also pursuing several initiatives to boost industrialisation in the country.
Khalil Suleiman Halilu, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of NASENI, spoke to THISDAY about the agency’s efforts to reshape Nigeria’s energy landscape and establish a solid industrial foundation to support long-term growth and innovation. He emphasised that these efforts align with President Bola Tinubu’s vision for a rapid and sustainable industrial revolution.
Halilu explained that industrialisation involves a series of interconnected decisions, citing the electric vehicle initiative as a critical example. “It’s not just about promoting cleaner air; it’s about rewriting Nigeria’s energy narrative,” he stated.
He highlighted the significance of NASENI’s lithium-ion battery factory as a focal point for this transformation, alongside a reverse engineering centre capable of converting 15 petrol and diesel vehicles to CNG every two hours.
While acknowledging that electric vehicle production is still in its early stages, Halilu emphasised the potential for Nigeria to lead in sustainable transportation and technological innovation. He noted that NASENI aims to complement, rather than compete with, the private sector, fostering a new economic ecosystem.
Halilu also discussed advancements in renewable energy technologies, essential for providing sustainable and affordable energy solutions. Over the past year, NASENI has transitioned from envisioning a future of industrial growth to actively implementing it. The agency’s portfolio now includes 35 market-ready innovations, such as affordable solar lamps and advanced agricultural technologies.
These innovations are designed to tackle urgent energy access and food security challenges. Halilu pointed to a tractor refurbishment initiative that addresses the scarcity of agricultural machinery, noting that Nigeria has less than 7,000 tractors for over 36.9 million hectares of farmland.
By providing more than 38 million smallholder farmers with access to modern farming equipment, this program aims to enhance productivity, reduce poverty, and stimulate economic growth.
Through these initiatives, NASENI is positioning itself as a key player in Nigeria’s industrial and technological advancement, paving the way for a more sustainable future.