NASENI EVC Mandates Institutes to Prioritize In-House Technologies for Commercialization Success

In a decisive push for innovation sustainability, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has rolled out a groundbreaking policy requiring all its Development Institutes to first patronize NASENI-manufactured products and technologies before seeking external alternatives.

The directive, issued by the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Mr. Khalil S. Halilu, reflects the age-old adage, “Charity begins at home,” as it underscores the importance of internal collaboration in boosting market credibility and commercial viability of NASENI’s innovations.

This internal-first approach, conveyed through an official memo dated January 31, 2024, mandates NASENI’s 11 Development Institutes—alongside newly emerging ones—to prioritize the adoption, testing, and integration of technologies, machines, and equipment developed within the Agency. This is in line with procurement regulations and aims to refine NASENI’s products for optimal performance before external release.

Why This Policy Matters

For years, NASENI has spearheaded indigenous technological advancements, yet widespread adoption—both locally and globally—has faced hurdles. By mandating internal utilization, the Agency seeks to:

• Strengthen Institutional Confidence: Encouraging NASENI engineers, scientists, and developers to refine their products through real-world application.
• Enhance Commercialization Strategy: Building credibility and ensuring rigorous testing before rolling out to external markets.
• Foster Deeper Collaboration: Creating synergy among NASENI Institutes to collectively push the frontiers of Nigerian technological advancement.

Key Components of the Policy

1. Mandatory Product Integration – Institutes must prioritize NASENI products (e.g., NASENI-branded laptops) in procurement plans where applicable.
2. Internal Pilots & Testing – Each institute will conduct real-world testing to gather data for further product improvements.
3. Inter-Institute Showcases – Bi-annual events will allow institutes to exhibit innovations and explore integration opportunities.
4. Cross-Institute Training – Staff training on technologies developed by sister institutes to promote broader adoption.
5. Internal Endorsement for Market Credibility – Leadership backing to strengthen NASENI’s external commercialization efforts.
6. Performance Tracking & Reporting – Institutes will submit regular reports detailing usage, feedback, and areas for improvement.

Looking Ahead: A Model for Nigerian Innovation Growth

By institutionalizing self-patronage, NASENI is setting the stage for a stronger innovation-to-market pipeline—one where homegrown technology is validated internally before facing competitive external markets. This approach is expected to serve as a national model for commercialization success, ensuring Nigeria’s indigenous engineering solutions gain the recognition they deserve.

With this directive, NASENI is not only building stronger internal confidence in its innovations but also laying the foundation for a future where Nigerian-made technologies compete globally with credibility, efficiency, and excellence.

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