Revolutionizing Nigerian Technology: NASENI’s $21.7 Million Partnership
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has announced a significant collaboration with 11 Nigerian companies under the Delta-2 projects, with an investment of $21.7 million. This landmark partnership, resulting from a bilateral agreement between the Nigerian government and the Czech Republic, marks a monumental step towards advancing research, development, and innovation in agriculture, mining, and general manufacturing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
At a ceremony held at NASENI’s headquarters, the executive vice-chairman and chief executive officer (EVC/CEO) of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, expressed the agency’s unwavering commitment to revolutionising Nigeria’s technology and innovation landscape. The Delta-2 programme, which commenced in 2022, is dedicated to funding and enabling projects that will significantly contribute to the nation’s economic growth.
The total investment of $21.7 million will be jointly provided by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TA CR) and NASENI, with TA CR contributing $11.7 million and NASENI providing a counterpart fund of $10 million. This alliance, which began in 2014, continues to bear transformative fruit in the technological sphere.
The core principles of the Delta-2 programme, as outlined by Halilu, revolve around collaboration, creation, and commercialisation (3Cs). He highlighted the importance of translating the outcomes of the partnership into market-ready products, underscoring the real value of technology in its market usefulness and application.
The chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee (PIC) on Technology Transfer/Information Exchange for Delta 2 projects, Dr. Dahiru Mohammed, shed light on the programme’s launch in May 2022. A total of 285 proposals were received from Nigerian companies across various sectors, and after a thorough evaluation by experts from the Nigerian Academy of Science, Nigerian Academy of Engineering, and the Nigeria-Czech Republic Trade and Investment Council, 11 beneficiary companies were selected.
The Delta-2 projects aim to yield patents, pilot plants, proven technologies, software, certified methodologies, processes, and specialized maps and databases that will have a direct positive impact on Nigerian farmers, miners, and MSME operators.
In another development, NASENI also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with PT Saputra Global Harvest for the production license of coal-based fertilizers in Nigeria. This agreement encompasses the supply of machinery and equipment, capacity development through the training of Nigerian personnel, and licensing that grants Nigeria permission to produce coal-based fertilizer according to established quality standards.
The signing of this MoU aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda, emphasizing the importance of food security and supporting the development of Nigeria’s agricultural sector while strengthening the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Indonesia.
The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, and key parliamentary figures, who extended their support and collaboration for enhanced productivity. The Delta-2 programme, with its extensive impact and partnerships, ushers in a transformative era in Nigeria’s technological landscape.
